Hirohisa “Hiro” Hogaki, a two-time alumnus of the Seminary in Texas, drowned July 16 in his native Japan while rescuing two of his children from drowning.
Hogaki earned his bachelor’s degree from what is now known as Texas Baptist College in 2010 and his Master of Arts in Theology from Southwestern Seminary in 2020.
Hogaki, his wife, Ruthann, and their seven children were swimming on the afternoon of July 16, when two of his children were pulled into the ocean. Hogaki went searching for his children, but drowned in the process. Both children were unharmed. Hogaki was discovered by other swimmers in the area and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Hogaki was formerly the pastor of First Japanese Baptist Church in Fort Worth before moving to plant a church in Shimane, Japan. According to a GoFundMe page established by a family friend to offset funeral expenses, the Hogakis had a goal to build a chapel in Shimane where Hogaki would perform wedding ceremonies. While Hogaki was close to completing the chapel, the work remains unfinished.
The Hogakis were sent and supported by Rock Creek Baptist Church in Crowley, Texas, where he was ordained.
Hiro’s friend Robby Lusk said “He had a heart for missions, and he was always trying to reach out to students who were coming from Japan to Texas.”