M&H Founder Passes

Thomas Darryl Hoge

Tom passed away 08/21/2009 after a long hard battle with cancer. Born to Earl and Anita Hoge on February 13, 1947, it seemed Tom, from an early age, was destined to be in the oil industry. Raised in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, his father worked for the town’s largest employer, Phillips Petroleum Company. All the schools Tom attended were built by Phillips so when it came time to decide a career, it seems he was already on the Oil path. Tom chose Chemical Engineering and, after graduating high school, Tom went to The University of Tulsa and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, graduating in 1970. While at The University of Tulsa, Tom interned for Mobil Oil Corporation as an Engineering Assistant, helping to further his education. After college, Tom worked for Pritchard-Eco then C-E Natco Process Equipment living in Tulsa until 1978 when he and Ed Maitland moved to Houston and formed M&H Enterprises, with locations in Alaska and Houston. Today, thirty one years later, M&H Enterprises is one of the most respected Engineering firms, having offices in Houston, Texas and Lafayette, Louisiana and doing business all over the world.

Tom had many hobbies but one of his passions was The Houston Astros. If they were in town, he was at the game. It didn’t matter where they were in the standings, Tom was there rooting his team on. He was not a fair weather fan.

Before anything else came his family. Tom was a very devoted, generous Husband, Father, and Poppy. He always looked for ways to help or better their lives so maybe it could be just a little bit easier for them, never thinking about himself. One of Tom’s great joys was family events. Whether it was Beach Week, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays, Tom loved having all the family around. This really was his center of happiness. Tom’s favorite motto is “Anything Worth Doing is Worth Overdoing” This was so true when it came to Tom and his family.

Tom’s kindness and generosity knew no boundaries and this was also true towards his friends as well. Tom was a straight-shooting, no bull type of guy that earned him the respect and friendship of all he met. You could always count on Tom’s word and he would not think twice about helping a friend in need.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Kathryn “Parker” Hoge, his children, Kristen Hoge and Doug Hoge, step-children, Steven and Amy Parker, Chad and Sarah Broyles, grandchildren, Alli, Abby, Emma, Kathryn, Parker, and Bridget, and last but not least, his beloved dog, Moses.

A memorial service was conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 26th of August in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, located at 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.