Obituary for Paul Eugene Brogan
February 14, 1952 – March 31, 2025

Paul Brogan, 73, of Gridley, Kansas, passed away on March 31, 2025. Born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1952, in El Dorado, Kansas at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital, he was the second of five children born to Gene and Sharlene Brogan, who preceded him in death.

A true Kansas man through and through, he spent his life with calloused hands and a strong need to be in the country—an exceptionally skilled machinist by trade who retired from Boeing and worked in the Nuclear Power Industry, and a self-taught fixer of just about anything with moving parts. He was the kind of man who knew how to get his hands dirty and could jury-rig a solution with duct tape and know-how.

He lived most recently near Gridley, Kansas with his partner of 19 years, Joyce (Jody) Young. The two shared a quiet life out in the country—just the way he liked it. He also proudly owned land near Toronto, Kansas, where he recently built a home, a project that brought him joy and a deep sense of accomplishment.

More than anything, he loved his family. He is survived by his three children: Jenny Pennock (Ryan) of Andover, KS, Matthew Brogan (Victoria) of Joplin, MO, and Douglas Brogan of Toronto, KS; and Jody's sons: Seth Young and wife Christine Martin of Denali Park, AK, and Jesse Young and wife Jessi Cherry of Anchorage, AK. He was a proud Grand Dad to his grandchildren: Barrett (13) and Daphne (8) Pennock, Haidyn Groesbeck (11), Brantley Brogan (9), Brantley Groesbeck (9), Braxton Groesbeck (6), and Elika Brogan (12).

He is also survived by his siblings: Mary Jirgens (Andy), Genelle Powell (Rick), Mike Brogan, and Patti Davidson (Darrell), and nieces and nephews who will all miss him dearly.

He was a hunter, a hippie at heart, and a lover of long country drives with no particular destination—just the open road, good music, and the Kansas sky, as well as traveling for work and pleasure. He cheered hard for KU Basketball, loved to shoot pool, cherished time outdoors, especially with his boys, and never passed up a chance to help a neighbor or have a cold one.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date, in a place and manner fitting of the man he was—simple, heartfelt, and surrounded by those who loved him.

He was a good ol' boy, a man's man, and a damn fine one at that. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.