Gurney Lindell Hoggard was born May 9, 1938, in Colerain, North Carolina. He was the first of four children born to Ida Mae and Garney Clayton Hoggard. Gurney became a member of New Central Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia and accepted Christ as his Savior when he was 12 years old.
He was a 1956 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia. At age 17, Gurney became a sailor with the U.S. Navy, following in his father’s footsteps. He served as an Aviation Ordinanceman throughout his 20 year career, rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. It was in his time in the navy, that he married his high school sweetheart – Shirley Hall. They were blessed with three boys: Carlton, Dennis, and Clayton. Due to the demands of military travel, his one regret was often being away from his family for long periods of time. Gurney and Shirley opened their own real estate firm – Hoggard & Hoggard Realty, in National City, California. He was also a proud Mason.
In the years following, he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Business Administration and Accounting. He attended Bible College and became an Ordained Minister. He taught at San Diego Community College and Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest, California. For a period, he served the Lord pastoring at True Love Baptist Church in Ridgecrest before he and Shirley started their own ministry in Ridgecrest and named it Valley Community Baptist Church.
After Shirley’s sudden passing in January 2008, Gurney relocated to San Diego, CA. In 2017, Gurney married Frances Katherine Jackson, his longtime friend and colleague. They spent their twilight years together until he transitioned on May 2, 2025.
He is survived by his loving wife Frances K. Jackson Hoggard, sons; Carlton Hoggard
(Maureen) of San Diego, CA, and Dennis Hoggard and Clayton Hoggard (Milo) of Ridgecrest, CA, stepdaughter Nenaji Jackson, stepsons; Daryl Jackson of Long Beach, CA and Jay Jackson of Colorado Springs, Colorado., sister Ida Hoggard Gordon of Hemet, CA, and Carrie May King (deceased), brother William Hoggard (Theresa) of Williamsport, Maryland, twelve grandchildren; Kory, Dejuan, Joshua, Jocelyn, Aaron, Mychael (deceased), Morgan, Clayton, Jr., Jeff, Osmond, Docine, Carlton and Maeley, along with several great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Memorial service to be held June 20, 2025, 11:00am, at Meridian Baptist Church, 660 S. 3rd St. El Cajon, CA 92019.
