Obituary of John Charles Ogren

John Charles Ogren was born January 24, 1931, in Arkansas City, Kansas, to John Edwin & Grace (Butler) Ogren and passed from this life November 3, 2014, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 83. John grew up in Arkansas City with his brother Edwin Ogren and his two sisters, Margaret Ogren and Virginia Ogren. He was a member of the Arkansas City High School basketball and tennis teams where his teammates gave him the nickname Ogie. John graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1949. He attended Arkansas City Junior College (now named Cowley College) from 1949 to 1951. He received a B.S. in Business Administration from Kansas State University in 1953, and a M.B.A. in Management from the University of Tulsa in 1968. John worked in the aerospace industry for Boeing, General Dynamics, Rockwell International, and North American. John began his job with the City of Tulsa in 1977. He was the Purchasing Agent for the City for 26 years, retiring in 2003 after having worked for a total of 61 years. John was the only living person who had a City of Tulsa building named after him. The John C. Ogren City of Tulsa Surplus Facility & Auction Site is located at 108 N. Trenton Avenue. Throughout his years, he never met a stranger and was endeared to one and all by his tall, lanky frame, positive attitude and genuine smile. Over the course of his life he was a pilot, horseman, coach, real estate agent, race car driver, water and snow skier, avid reader and world traveler. John (known as Grandpa John to his beloved grandchildren) was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his wife, Santita (Smith) Ogren; his daughter Kimberly Sutton and her husband, Wayne; his son, Jeffrey Ogren and his wife, Rebecca; his daughter, Jennifer Ogren; his stepchildren Robert Gray and his wife, Caroline; Jeanne Richards and her husband, David; and 11 grandchildren, Kaleb, Jake, Jonah, Jared, Hunter, Addison, Jace, Philo, Charlie, William, and Weston. He is also survived by five nieces. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2014, at Asbury United Methodist Church in Tulsa. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made in John’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project or to Cowley College. Ninde Brookside, 918.742.5556, ninde.com