Obituary

James Gary Ogden

October 7, 1938-

January 6, 2020

James Gary Ogden, age 81 years, passed away January 6, 2020 in Dayton, Wash.

A graveside memorial was held January 11, 2020, at Dayton City Cemetery. The memorial will be held at 12 p.m. at the United Brethren Church with Pastor Greg Brownell officiating. A reception will follow the service in the church’s Christian Education (CE) building.

Those who wish to make a contribution in Gary’s honor are encouraged to support their local FFA or 4-H activities or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Gary was born October 7, 1938 in Pomeroy, Wash. He was the youngest of four and the only son to Jim and Mary Ogden, joining his older sisters Joann, Muriel, and Gloria.

He attended Columbia School District 1 schoolhouse in Columbia County and graduated from Dayton High School with the class of 1957. In 1961 he graduated from WSU with a degree in Agriculture Science and then certified to teach Vocational Agriculture. He married Sally Fitzgerald on July 1, 1962, in Pomeroy and together they shared 57 years and raised three children.

He started his teaching career in Granada, Colo., in 1962, followed by teaching positions in White Salmon, Benton City, and Waitsburg, Wash., before settling to raise his family in Walla Walla in 1972. He taught vocational agriculture, welding, horticulture, and forestry and especially enjoyed his role as an FFA advisor for Walla Walla High School. He was known for having a special affinity for helping students living in town with learning about agriculture and farming. Every year he could be counted on to help them design and carry out livestock projects and, in the process, encouraged a respect for the outdoors and all it can offer.

He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing and hunting, especially with family and friends. He treasured his grandchildren, always finding new and exciting adventures for them to enjoy on their visits with him. He loved exploring the country around the Blue Mountains, especially the Wenaha-Tucannon; taking a drive up the Tucannon in his later years always could be counted on to spark fond memories he would share with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Sally at their home in Dayton; daughters Lori (Rick) Carlson of Granite Falls, Wash., and Dee Anne (Mark) Galla of Wrangell, Ak.; son Jimmy (Stephanie) Ogden of Dayton; sisters Joann Martin of Waitsburg, and Gloria Vaske of Bellevue, Wash.; 9 grandchildren and one great grandchild, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Muriel Ogden.