Harold Fitzgerald Hogue Sr

HAROLD FITZGERALD HOGUE, 58, of Atlanta, GA transitioned on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.

He was the son of Harold L. Hogue and the late Geraldine (Crosby) Hogue. Harold was born and raised in Detroit, MI. He was later brought up in a blended family when his father remarried the late Shirley (Cannon) Hogue. 

Harold was a gifted athlete. As a youth, Harold was a standout in the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) in the 70s and 80s. To honor him, the Detroit PAL's Westside Broncos retired Harold's #35 jersey in 2022. Harold began lifting weights at the tender age of 12, and at one point he was one of the strongest men in the world.

Harold graduated from St. Martin DePorres High School in 1984 with an impeccable athletic resume. While winning three State Championship titles as a star Defensive Tackle, Harold was one of three Eagles named to the Class C All-State football team during the 1983-84 season. His football prowess led him to Kentucky State for a year before continuing to the gridiron at Central State University (CSU) in Wilberforce, Ohio. Following college, he was recruited by several NFL teams but chose to embark upon a storied international professional wrestling career in the WCW and CWA. Harold wrestled from 1993 until 2001. 

Harold was recognized for the following honors: European Wrestling Promotion (EWP) Hall of Fame class of 2019 and CSU Hall of Fame class of 2021.

To the world, he was the iconic 'Ice Train', ‘M.I. Smooth’, or #77 for the Central State Marauders; to his family, he was our superhero, our guiding light, and our source of unwavering love.

 Harold's infectious smile and larger-than-life personality were not confined to the wrestling ring or the football field. He turned ordinary moments into extraordinary memories, filling the lives of his family and friends with joy, laughter, and an abundance of love.

 Harold’s impact reached far beyond the wrestling community. He was a legendary husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle, brother, friend, coach and mentor. 

 His legacy is not only etched in sports, but also in the hearts of those who knew him and in the lives of those he impacted. He shared his Christian faith generously and broke down the Bible with remarkable clarity and precision. The outpouring of memories and stories from those whose lives he touched has been a testament to the magnificent person he was. 

 Harold used his gift of supernatural strength up to the very end. However, the size of his heart was that much bigger than the 23-inch arms he flexed. 

 Harold is survived by his wife and friend of 21 years, Tiana Waldon-Hogue; his father, Harold L. Hogue; Mother-in-law Juanita Joiner-Waldon; sons Harold Hogue II (Chanel) of Dallas, TX, Myles Hogue, Mykal Hogue, Bishop Hogue of Atlanta, GA, and daughters Cynnamon Hogue of St. Louis, MO, Carmen Hogue and Yuri Hogue of Atlanta, GA, three grandchildren, Harold III, Harper and Hendrix Hogue of Dallas, TX and brothers Derrick Hogue of Tijuana, Mexico and Billy Hogue of Detroit, MI, sisters Tanya (George) Duncan of Boston, MA, Sanya Weston of Northville, MI, Yevette Jones of Oak Park, MI, brothers-in-law Santana and Douglas Waldon of Cincinnati, OH, and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

 Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, February 4th, from 2 to 4 pm at First Baptist Church Woodstock, 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock, GA, 30188. Services will follow from 4 to 5 PM. 

 A separate memorial service will be held on February 17, 2024, at 2:30 PM at the Detroit PAL Headquarters, 1680 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI 48216.