Wayne Ogden

Wayne Ogden grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the youngest child of Thelma and Ivan Ogden. His brothers and sister—Gene, Bob, Charlie, Jim, and Julie—and their spouses, Ruth, Dorothy, Barbara, Wanda, and Duane, were an important part of his life throughout both childhood and adulthood. Their souls are all reunited now.

Family was always at the heart of Wayne’s life. He married the girl with the “longest legs he’d ever seen,” whom he affectionately called “Jelly Jaws,” Toni Smith, on June 8, 1963. Together they built a loving family that included their son, Jeff, and his wife, Amy; their daughter, Carla, and her husband, Tim; and their two sons, Sterling and Devon.

Wayne was a loving and devoted son-in-law to Milton and Marcia Smith and to Uncle Walter Long. He is survived by his loving wife Toni, Toni’s sister, Jennifer, and her husband, Doug; Toni’s brother, Scott, and his wife, Tami; as well as his brother Gene’s wife, Evelyn. Wayne was a dear uncle and is survived by many nieces and nephews.

It truly took a “village” to raise Wayne. Along the way, many coaches, counselors, parents of friends, employers, teachers, and friends supported, encouraged, and influenced him.

Wayne was a man who could do just about anything. At home, the family rarely needed to call a plumber or contractor because Wayne could fix, build, or maintain almost anything himself. He installed floors, painted the house, fixed the plumbing, cared for the yard and gardens, and maintained the family’s vehicles. Just as importantly, he was a wonderful teacher. He took the time to teach both his son and daughter how to do things themselves, passing along not only his skills, but also his confidence, patience, and love of figuring things out.

Wayne earned his high school diploma from Daniel Webster High School in Tulsa, where he was a talented athlete. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Tulsa and later continued his education, earning a Master of Science in Environmental Management from the University of Denver.

Wayne began working at a very young age. His early jobs included sweeping parking lots at night, serving as a roller-skating floor monitor, and setting off fireworks after baseball games at the Tulsa Oilers Park, among many other things. From 1966 to 1972, Wayne served in the Oklahoma Air National Guard and the United States Air Force Reserve. His professional career included work with Unit Rig & Equipment in Tulsa and Denver and with Power Equipment Company in Denver. He spent many years working in the Power and Mining Equipment industries, traveling and working throughout the United States and overseas.

After retiring, Wayne enjoyed time in Oklahoma and Hawaii before ultimately moving to Christwood Retirement Community in Covington, Louisiana, to be closer to family and spend his later years.

Wayne was an active member of Sheridan Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa and the Unity Spiritual Center in Denver. He was a sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous for more than 34 years and found meaning and spiritual growth through his study of A Course in Miracles.

Wayne lived an active life and enjoyed a wide variety of sports and outdoor activities. In high school, he played both basketball and baseball. His basketball team was a state runner-up, and his baseball team won the state championship during his senior year. He also spent many years as a youth soccer coach and was a member of the American Youth Soccer Association. Over the years, he developed a love for golf, skiing, hiking, and running. He especially loved being outdoors, and some of his greatest joys were fly fishing, sailing, and simply being surrounded by nature.

His years in Hawaii and Louisiana sparked a newer interest in birding, giving him yet another way to enjoy and appreciate the natural world around him. Wayne could often be found entertaining himself by calling to the birds.

During his years at Christwood, Wayne especially enjoyed the many musical guests, social gatherings, and opportunities to be around others. He could often be found on the dance floor, enjoying the music and company of those around him. Even in the later stages of Alzheimer’s, when words and memories became increasingly difficult, music continued to reach him. He would clap his hands, tap a beat, or sing along to a familiar song—a beautiful reminder that some joys remain with us even when so much else is forgotten.

Wayne will be remembered most of all for his love of family, his appreciation for the outdoors, his active spirit, his sense of community, and the joy he found in music, friendship, and the people he loved.

Wayne's Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, November 8th at 3:00 at the Garden Room at Christwood Retirement Community, 100 Christwood Blvd., Covington, Louisiana. In lieu of flowers the family is asking to consider a donation to Alzheimer's Association or BrightFocus Foundation, Alzheimer's Disease Research