Joe Pogue (94) peacefully died on March 27, 2025, in San Luis Obispo with his children by his side.
Joe, one of seven children, was born to Margaret Ray (nee Atkinson) and James Oyvin Pogue on December 1, 1930 in San Gabriel, CA, and moved to Gardena, CA when he was a young child. He was a bright student, skipping the fifth grade, and a very gifted mechanic. He would laugh telling the story that in high school he repaired his teachers’ cars in exchange for As on his report cards. He was always happiest working with his hands building or fixing anything. During his early teen years, Joe built his first house, motorcycle, and glider, which he piloted while his older (and wiser!) brother drove the truck that catapulted Joe and the plane in the air. His adventuresome spirit continued throughout his life.
In 1947, Joe met the love of his life, Grace Garland. They married in 1950 and moved to Lancaster, CA where he spent time serving his country in the Army National Guard and was employed as a mechanic. They eventually settled in Santa Maria, CA where they raised their five children. Joe worked as a mechanic and later owned a local Mobil service station. When he wasn’t at work, his time was always spent with his family.
Cherished memories were made with yearly camping vacations to Yosemite and weekend fishing trips to San Simeon. Joe passed his love of nature on to all his children, calling it “God’s creation.”
In 1971 Joe and Grace moved their family to Lompoc, CA where he co-owned, with his brother, Bob, Honda Cycles of Lompoc. They stayed in Lompoc for the next 26 years, realizing his dream of turning his love of motorcycles into his vocation. During this time, Joe and Grace developed a passion for golf and played as often as they could.
In 1997, Joe and Grace retired, turning his share of the motorcycle shop over to his son, Joseph. They excitedly hit the road as full-time RV travelers. They spent the next 22 years enjoying adventures in their RV, chasing the sun, fishing and playing golf. They spent the next phase of their lives living near their son and daughter-in-law, Rich and Dianna, and helping out on their farm in Kingsburg, CA. Eventually Joe moved to Morro Bay, CA to enjoy coastal living with daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Ray.
Joe and Grace were married 72 years, and to everyone who knew them, their relationship was an enviable example of a loving marriage. Each evening was their time to relax and say “cheers” to each other and to the day.
Joe had an unshakable positive spirit. He greeted each day with a smile and a cheerful, “Well, good morning to you!” He often said a person can be happy if he chooses to be. He taught his children to look at the world with a sense of humor and to not take things too seriously. Our dinner table conversations were always filled with stories and laughter!
Joe was a very understated, practical man, but every now and then he would get a mischievous look in his eye and show that in life anything is possible – such as skydiving on his 80th and 85th birthdays and launching his boat in a backyard swimming pool just to see if he could.
Joe lived his life fully, never letting age be an excuse for slowing down. As an avid fisherman, at age 93 he fulfilled his dream of catching (and releasing) “the big one” by landing a 60-pound black sea bass! And true to his positive spirit, in his final days of life when asked if he was ready to meet Jesus, he answered with a very excited, “You better believe it!”
Joe will be deeply missed by so many. He is survived by his children Pamela Riordan (Ray), Margaret Hansen (Roger), Joseph Pogue (Sharon), and Richard Pogue (Dianna). He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister Margaret Dickinson (Lew), and brother Robert Pogue (Kathy). Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife, Grace. He was also preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Jeanine Reeder, one brother, James Pogue (Helen), three sisters, Nora Jean Balsley (Bill), Lucy Hall (Darrel), and Ruth Lee Raynor (Troy), and by daughter-in-law, Holly Pogue.
There will be a private Celebration of Life held at a future date. In accordance with Dad’s final wishes, his body was donated to UCLA Medical School.
