John Ozier

John Cawthon Ozier was born on February 1, 1937 and died on July 12, 2023. John was born to Clarence Lew Jones Ozier and Sarah Belle Cawthon (Sally) Ozier in Memphis, Tennessee, where he lived his first forty years and died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he had lived forty-five years. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: sister, Virginia Ozier Heydenreich, and brothers, Mac Elder Ozier and Charles Calvin Ozier. John attended lower schools in Memphis and graduated from Central High School, where he lettered in swimming.

John was an Eagle Scout and many of his favorite memories involved scouting. From 1950-1953, John was a camper at Kia Kima, a Scout camp in Arkansas. In 1954-55, John was a counselor there in charge of medical/first aid issues. In 1993 John was co-founder of a group which restored old Kia Kima and served on the Board of Directors.

John attended Memphis State University (now University of Memphis) and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He decided to quit college for awhile to do his required military service. John was selected to attend the Army Language School in Monterrey, California and studied Russian there. Following a pleasant time there, John was assigned duty on Shemya, Aleutians Islands and in Japan.

Following his Army duty, John returned to Memphis State University. In the summer of 1964 John had a blind date with Susan Garber for his brother Calvin’s birthday party. John and Susan dated the following year and both graduated from college in May, 1965 (John from Memphis State University and Susan from Vanderbilt University). The couple married in December 1965 and Susan became his wife of 57+ years.

Around this same time John began his career with State Farm Insurance Co., which lasted thirty-four years. He worked in auto claims as a Claims Representative and later as Claims Manager. With his strong work ethic John enjoyed the challenges of claims and his relationships with co-workers. John began his career in Memphis and continued it in Baton Rouge, where he served on the Insurance Arbitration Committee. John retired in 1999 and kept busy with six post-retirement jobs including claims work with LIGA (Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association) and volunteer and staff jobs at St. James Episcopal Church.

John and Susan were the proud parents of two children: Russell Cawthon Ozier (1970) and Meredith Harris Ozier (1975). In 1978 the family moved to Baton Rouge, where they bought a home in the friendly Garden District neighborhood. There was a large magnolia tree in the front yard which fun loving John decided to climb while in his sixties. The family enjoyed exploring the history and beauty of south Louisiana, visiting many plantations and John spending weekends at Manresa Catholic Retreat Center.

The family joined St. James Episcopal Church and it became a major part of their lives. John became Acolyte Master and Russell and Meredith served as acolytes. John was elected to the Vestry, served as Senior Warden, and as a Eucharistic Minister. John held numerous volunteer and church staff positions. He was the Parish Administrator right up to the time he passed away. John considered St. James as his “happy place”.

John was an excellent writer and many enjoyed his musings on Facebook. He often wrote about beloved family pets – Sweet Pea, Delilah, Grace, and Allie. John was not fond of dancing, yet he never failed to dance with Meredith – first as a child she stood on his feet, then as a grown-up dancing at friends’ weddings.

John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Susan Garber Ozier; children, Russell Cawthon Ozier of Houston, Texas and Meredith Harris Ozier of Hinesburg, Vermont.

Relatives and friends are invited to St. James Episcopal Church, 205 N 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, Tuesday, August 1, 2023; for a visitation beginning at 10:00AM until the funeral service beginning at 12:00PM

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial in John’s name to St. James Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice.