Obituary of Larry Dean Ogburn

Larry Dean Ogburn Larry was born August 16, 1940 in Yakima, Washington to Carl Edward and Lois Mae Rodman Ogburn. He died December 29, 2008. In 1942, at two years of age, Larry went to live with his grandparents, Robert and Clara Rodman, on a 160-acre farm in the Wenas, north of Selah, Washington. At the time, Grandpa Rodman was still farming with horses and share-cropped potatoes, hay and other farm produce. He graduated from Selah High School in 1958. During high school, he played on the baseball team and walked the 8 miles home after practices and games. After High School Larry served 2 tours in the U.S. Air Force between 1958 - 1968, and was stationed at Edwards AFB, CA; RAF Alconbury, England; and Laon AFB, France. Larry went to The J. M. Perry Institute in Yakima, Washington from 1969-1971, where he studied Instrumentation Training. While attending training, Larry met and married Sheila Ann Wilson on May 2, 1970 in Selah, Washington. They purchased five acres of land just a short distance from where Larry grew up and while living in the Wenas, Larry’s only son, Gregory Wiles Ogburn, was born in 1974. Larry was a Radio Technician with the Yakima Fire Department until Yakima City budget cuts sent him in a new career direction. In 1983-1984, Larry began his career with the U.S. Department of Defense as an Electronics Mechanic at Fort Lewis, Washington and then transferring to the U.S. Department of Defense, CECOM, in Avionic Electronics as an Equipment Specialist. He worked in South Korea from 1989-1992, 1999-2001; and Panama 1996-1999. While living overseas with his family, holiday vacations were spent exploring surrounding locations: Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Costa Rica, Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and more. Each overseas work assignment returned him and his family to Washington State to live in various areas of Pierce and Thurston Counties. Larry retired from Federal Civil Service in April 2002. He then worked for Fort Lewis NAF from 2002-2007. From October 2007 until his death, Larry worked for Lowe’s Hardware Store, on Yelm Highway, Olympia, Washington. Two things Larry enjoyed in his time off, was volunteering at the Olympic Flight Museum and at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. Larry is survived by his wife, Sheila Ogburn, homemaker, Yelm, Washington; son, Greg, Seatac, Washington; mother, Lois M. Ogburn of Yakima; sisters: Carol (Dan) Darling, White Salmon, Washington; Charma (Ken) Charniak, Anaheim, California; aunts and uncles: Ruth Rodman Pingrey, Chelan, Washington; Richard (Delores) Rodman, Seattle, Washington; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his father, Carl E. Rodman [1968]; grandparents: Robert [1973] and Clara [1974] Rodman; Bessie D. Emblom [1971]. Larry will be remembered by classmates and friends as having a good heart. He was smart, hard working and he did good for his family. Larry was a trusted friend and an honorable man. He was always very proud of his pioneer heritage. He will be missed by his family and many friends, old and new. Larry will meet you at the Starbucks in Heaven! His family invites you to attend his memorial service, Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 2 p.m. held at Senior Services for South Sound - The Olympia Senior Center, 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia, Washington. Those who wish to do so, may donate to their favorite charity in Larry’s name. You are welcome to write a favorite memory for the family Remembrance Book. It can be simple or creative… short or long… You may do so by clicking on “View Guestbook” below. . Larry will find his final resting place at the Wenas Cemetery, to be near family members that have gone on.