Arthur E. Fogle

A.E. Fogle went home to be with his Lord and Savior on July 16, 2008. He was known for displaying quiet strength and dignity in all that he did. The funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 18 in the First Baptist Church Sanctuary with burial following at Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday it the chapel of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A. E. was born on March 29, 1921 in Caps, Texas to Arthur E. Fogle and Vida Hailey Fogle. He graduated from Tuscola High School and Howard Payne University. His high school interests were raising and showing Hereford cattle with his Dad and brothers. As a member of "The Greatest Generation", A. E. volunteered for the Aviation Cadets and became an instructor in aerial gunnery during World War II. He served in Italy until the war ended. At that time he was deployed to Natal, Brazil where he processed service men and women returning home. Soon after, he received an honorable discharge was able to return home as well. He married his high school sweetheart, Stella Mae Taylor, on August 14, 1943. At his death they had been married almost 65 years. Following his discharge from the service, A. E. began his career as an Internal Revenue Agent. He served as Supervisor of the Audit Division until his retirement in 1976, following 30 years of government service. A.E.'s philosophy, as he stated it, was, "We, as a society, are not successful without a volunteer effort. We have a debt to give back a part of our good fortune or talents without being paid. We are a people who mostly receive; I don't think we can function that way. We have to find people willing to give a part of themselves." Following retirement from the IRS, A. E. found many ways to live out this philosophy. He was a member of the Abilene Kiwanis Club and served as its President. He also served as President of the Expo Center of Taylor County and the West Central Texas Municipal Water Board. He served the City of Abilene as a Councilman for two terms. During his term, he represented the City of Abilene on the Executive Committee of the West Central Texas Council of Governments. He was also involved in the work of Abilene Girls Home. A.E. and Stella have both been active participants in the life of the First Baptist Church, Abilene over the past 61 years. He has served as Chairman of Deacons, as well as many other church committees for FBC Abilene. He was involved in the work of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and volunteered as Treasurer for the Abilene Baptist Association. He also volunteered with Abilene Baptist Social Ministries. He was chosen as the Abilene Baptist Association Layperson of the Year in 2001. A.E. was committed to the ministry of Hendrick Medical Center. He once said, "I see Hendrick as a part of the church outside the church walls. I see HMC as a church function extending itself into the community." He served as a Trustee for the hospital for 16 years, serving as the Board's Chairman for two terms. He also served on the Hendrick Medical Center Development Corporation. A. E. served as President of the Texas Hospital Trustees and served on the national board of the American Hospital Trustees. He was awarded the 1993 Founders' Award for Distinguished Hospital Trustee by the Texas Hospital Trustees. "Family" has always been a core value for A. E. and Stella, getting the family together to celebrate as often as possible. They have three children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. All those will testify that favorite memories are Christmas, Thanksgiving, and birthday celebrations for every one at MomMom's and Granddad's house. In the minds of their family, it was always considered a special time when they all got together at MomMom's and Grandad's! A.E. was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Evelyn Osborn and Lois Tisdale, and two brothers, Clyde and Carl Fogle. He is survived by his wife, Stella, his children, Carol Chastain of Frisco, Janice Allen and her husband, Bob, of Abilene, and Ron Fogle and his wife, Anne, of Abilene. His grandchildren, Jeff and J. Chastain, Rob, Bryson, and Chris Allen, and Whitney, Nic, Tommy and Sean Fogle survive him. Two great-granddaughters, Kyla and Jadyn Chastain of Frisco, also survive him. His example of a life well lived, for his God and his family, is a legacy his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren will always cherish. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence." Jeremiah 17:7 The family requests memorials are made to First Baptist Church Foundation or Hendrick Health System Foundation.