Bobby “Bobcat” Hogue, 81, of Texarkana, AR, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 18, after a long and legendary stretch of life that spanned the sky, mountains, open roads, lakes, and sea.
Bobby was born on Saturday, May 1, 1943, in the beautiful, sun-drenched community of San Luis Obispo, along California’s Central Coast. The perfect origin story for someone who was destined to live a large life.
His loving parents, Cora and Leo Hogue, eventually settled in Texarkana, AR, where Bobby grew up honing his passion for the outdoors, automotives, sports, and general mischief. Naturally athletic, he excelled at a variety of physical endeavors and went on to become a record-setting pole vaulting champion at Arkansas High School.
A charming ladies man, Bobby had many great loves throughout his life. Most notably, his first wife, the lovely Sandra Tipton, with whom he had two daughters, Shelli Hogue Blackburn and LeeAnne Hogue Cooper. And his second wife, the beautiful Leslie “Tootsie” Cook, with whom he had a third daughter, Silver Hogue.
Bobby lived a captivating life on his own terms. Incredibly sharp and tenacious, he essentially taught himself how to fly planes, enjoyed a fascinating career in aviation, dabbled in real estate development, and owned the wildly popular restaurant, Cajun Catfish, in Rockwall, TX, for 26 years.
While in Rockwall, where he lived for almost 30 years, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He became a well-known fixture in the community as the ubiquitous “captain” of Cajun Catfish. He was a passionate motorcycle and automobile collector, and could often be found on the open road, at a motorcycle rally, or proudly driving an old vintage car in the city parade. He was a consummate hunting enthusiast, whose gun and knife collections were unsurpassed. When he wasn’t on his fishing boat, you might find him being dropped off a plane into the Alaskan tundra to track Caribou. Bobby loved the mountains and the water, and was a skilled snow and water-skier, desperately trying to pass down his love of extreme skiing to his daughters, who he enjoyed teaching and terrifying in equal parts.
Bobby lived out the remainder of his life in the breathtaking hill country of Austin, TX. He was a unique enigma of a man, with a plethora of talents and legendary stories to match his one-of-a-kind personality. He was a leader, an adventurer, an unforgettable friend, and a wonderful father. All the hallmarks of a big, beautiful, well-lived life.
He is survived by his children: Shelli, Lee, and Silver. His sons-in-law Mark Blackburn and Eddie Cooper, his nine grandchildren, Laura Lee Blackburn Washington, Lindsy Blackburn Landes, Lily Blackburn, Claira Cooper Alsup, Trey Cooper, Savannah Cooper McCarthy, Leo Cooper, Jessa Cooper, Josiah Cooper, his seven great grandchildren, his rubber iguana, “Buddy,” and his antelope head “Rudolph.”
A special thank you to all of the wonderful doctors, nurses, and caregivers who made his final years comfortable, peaceful, and possible.
Celebration of life services will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on Friday, Aug. 30, at 2 p.m., at 411 Ranch Road 620 South, Lakeway, TX, 78734.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Donate Life America, as Bobby was a proud and thankful liver transplant recipient.
