Clarence James Ogilvie

Clarence James Ogilvie, 85, died peacefully at home in Parkton, Maryland on Friday April 27, 2012. Clarence was born at home October 6, 1926 in Houston, Texas, the youngest child of Edwin Deady and Eulalia Julie (Risley) Ogilvie.

Following graduation from Steven F. Austin High School in 1943, Clarence enlisted in the US Navy. He played in a Navy Band in Trinidad from 1944 through 1946. After his discharge, Clarence received his Certification as a Teacher of French Horn from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, a Bachelor of Science Degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Masters in Education from the University of Maryland. Clarence was a professional musician who played with the Baltimore Symphony, Gettysburg Symphony, Baltimore Horn Club, Baltimore Municipal Bands, and for numerous musicals and ice shows in the Baltimore area. He taught instrumental music in elementary schools in Baltimore County, Maryland for over 30 years. Prior to retirement, he was a mentor to other music teachers.

Clarence met Rowena Rosser at Peabody Conservatory and they were married September 16, 1950 in the Carley Brook Methodist Church in Honesdale, PA. Rowena’s uncle, the Rev. William Morgan Rosser, officiated. They enjoyed 43 years together before her death in April 1993.

Clarence listened to Maryland Public Radio daily, especially “The Diane Rehm Show” and was a fan of British mysteries, drama and comedies on Maryland Public Television. Clarence often traveled to Texas to visit his siblings and in later years his nieces, nephews and their families, with whom he was very close. He enjoyed the daily crossword in the Baltimore Sun, working with anything electrical or mechanical, trains and railroading. After retirement he threw himself into the computer era, learning to program in Basic and Assembly, e-mailing his friends and family, and tracing and recording his family history.

Above all his greatest love was his family. Clarence attended countless concerts, recitals, plays and ball games to support his children and grandchildren. He willingly babysat grandchildren from infancy through childhood, traveled across the United States and to Great Britain with various children or grandchildren, hiked mountains, snowshoed, sailed, rode roller coasters, made jelly and pecan pies, helped construct homes and saved the day with his creative repairs. Whatever the family was doing, whatever the family needed, Clarence was there. He enthusiastically encouraged everyone in whatever endeavor they were involved and he had a way of making you feel that you were especially important.

Clarence is survived by his three children: Diana Deady Ogilvie and her husband James Dickey III, Clarence Rosser Ogilvie and his wife Andrea, and Janet O. Papparotto and her husband Russell; 12 grandchildren: Gwyneth and her husband Charles Zakaib, Rachael, J. Thomas IV, and David Dickey; Mae “Vonnie”, Anna, Nathaniel Clarence and Eli Ogilvie; Sioned, Adam, Brianna and Sophia Papparotto; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Lynette Rosser and their family; nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and many dear friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

Clarence was predeceased by his wife, Rowena; his siblings Edwin ”Buddy” Ogilvie, Martha Ogilvie, Margaret “Jean” Hazelwood and Catherine Ann Barker.

The family will receive friends in the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc., 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, MD 21093 on Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8PM. A funeral service will be celebrated in the funeral home on Tuesday, May 1 at 10AM. Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Memorial Donations may be made in Mr. Ogilvie's memory to WYPR, 2216 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, ATTN Membership. A guest book is available at www.lemmonfuneralhome.com