Obituary of Samuel James Ogden

Samuel James Ogden, Sr. (October 27,1926 – February 7, 2017) Samuel James Ogden, Sr., a retired Dentist in Mer Rouge, LA, passed away on February 7, 2017, at the age of 90 years. Dr. James was born on October 27, 1926, in Mer Rouge, LA. As were his wishes, he was proudly able to spend his last days at his home in Mer Rouge. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Saturday, February 11th at Saint Andrews Episcopal Church, Mer Rouge with Reverend Dr. Geoffrey Schmitt officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:30pm until 8:00pm on Friday February 10th at Golden Funeral Home, Bastrop. Our dad’s life was a testament to perseverance. Born the fourth child and only son of the late Sam and Mary Baker Ogden, he and his family lived through the devastation of the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. This was followed by the Great Depression where he became a part of that “Greatest Generation” by necessity not choice. From delivering newspapers like the “Saturday Evening Post”, raising and selling chicken hatchlings, delivering groceries, and being a ‘soda jerk,’ he established a strong work ethic at a young age. After graduation from Mer Rouge High School, he began college classes at what is now University of Louisiana Monroe until he was drafted by the United States Army and served in the Pacific Theater. With the war ending just after he arrived in the Philippines, he remained as part of the occupational forces in Japan earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged for a second time after the Korean War where he remained state-side in Camp Chaffee, AR, and earning the rank of Sergeant First Class. With the interruptions of service, James was finally able to graduate from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. He was accepted to Dental School in Houston, TX, until they realized he was not a Texas resident. He returned to his home in Mer Rouge and as fate would have it, he managed to get an interview with the University of Alabama Birmingham Dental School, beginning classes several weeks late. Again, he persevered and graduated in 1956 and returned to Mer Rouge where he practiced dentistry for 55 years. He was a Lifetime Member of the American Dental Association and Louisiana Dental Association, actively participating in meetings and events in the area. In 1960 he married our mother, Betty Jo, and remained a faithful, loving, and devoted husband throughout their marriage. After her death in 1998, he displayed this faith by continuing to wear his wedding ring in remembrance. Through this union of James and Betty Jo, they were blessed with three sons, Jim, Tim, and Alan Ogden. We were all fortunate and blessed in our own right for having them as nurturing parents and role models throughout our lives. One of the grounding aspects of our dad was his devotion to Christ which he lived out at Saint Andrews Episcopal Church, his lifetime faith and church. He was on its Vestry and served as Senior Warden countless times, served as Chalice Bearer, conducted Morning Prayer, and preparing meals. He wasn’t shy about changing a light bulb, repairing a pew, or mopping a floor, either. Dad also was a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, 32o, and Shriner. He also enjoyed gardening, cooking and traveling across country with his family on vacations. Our dad was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo Roach Ogden; his parents, Sam and Mary Baker Ogden, and his three older sisters and husbands, Mary Ann Ogden Reynolds (Buck), Barbara Ogden Quinlin (Vince), and Sybil Ogden Stamper (Johnny). He is survived by his three sons, Samuel James Ogden, Jr, Dr. John Timothy Ogden and wife Shelley, and Alan Lee Ogden and wife Kristen. Additionally, seven grandchildren, Johnathan Ogden, Caitlin Ogden White and husband Shelby, Kellan Ogden, Emily Ogden, Benjamin Ogden, Eloise Ogden, and Sam Ogden. Our family would like to thank those who grew close to our dad in his later years especially Sue and Dewayne Glass, true friends and angels among us; his office staff, Sandra and Angie, who kept watchful eyes on him and a smile on his face; and all the neighbors around who stopped to check on his well-being with food, conversations, and prayers. Serving as pallbearers will be Billy Davenport, Dewayne Glass, Pat Bonner, Tommy Rankin, Terry Barnhill and Billy Shepherd. Memorial donations may be made to the endowment fund of Saint Andrews Episcopal Church or a worthy charity of your choice.