Gary Wayne Ogle

Gary W. Ogle, 66, of Sawmills, NC, but forever a Buckeye at heart, triumphantly entered heaven on June 3, 2024, after a well-fought battle with cancer.  He was privileged to finish his fight at home with his family, his beloved Guardians, and his brother’s homemade ice cream.  Gary was born in Crawford County, Ohio, on July 30, 1957, to Roy Ogle, who welcomed him home to heaven, and to Carolyn (Witter) Ogle, who will miss him very much.

Gary grew up in Leesville, Ohio, where he spent time with his large family and friends playing sports and visiting his grandparents’ farm. Around the time his parents helped plant Bucyrus Alliance Church in the early seventies, Gary made a life changing decision to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  He graduated from Colonel Crawford High School in 1975, where he participated in Football, Cross Country, Basketball, Baseball, and Track and Field; and from Malone College in 1979, where he played baseball and soccer for the Malone College Pioneers.

While attending Bucyrus Alliance Church, Gary met Sandra L. Hepner and promptly proposed.  The two attended Malone College and were married at Bucyrus Alliance Church on August 11, 1979.  They began their life together in Canton, Ohio; moved to Bucyrus, Ohio, to start their family; raised their daughters and became empty-nesters in North Robinson, Ohio; and finally moved to Sawmills, North Carolina, to be near family.

Gary worked diligently to support his family up until his illness.  He sold insurance for Prudential, after which he branched out on his own, and then left the insurance business to pursue his true passions, sports and writing.  Gary wrote for the Telegraph Forum for 10 years, winning numerous awards each year for his column, Upshot; his game coverage; and his sports page editing.  He then transitioned into WBCO/WQEL radio, where he covered local sports, hosted several broadcasts, and conceptualized and built their exceptionally successful website, Crawford County Now.  Gary continued to work part time in journalism after moving to North Carolina, where he wrote for the sports department of Hickory’s Daily Record. While in North Carolina, Gary also worked for Academy Sports and Outdoors, where he was well loved and highly respected by his coworkers.

In his free time, Gary faithfully served his local church and his local community.  A devoted member of Bucyrus Alliance Church, Galion Gospel Baptist Church, and Mt. Zion Baptist Church, he served as elder, deacon, and Sunday School teacher.  Gary also volunteered as youth group leader, nursing home ministry leader, and Roman soldier in the Easter pageant. In addition, the Crawford County community appreciated his devotion as a volunteer for the public schools’ reading program and the Special Olympics. Gary passionately and often loudly supported the Cleveland Guardians (Indians), the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Cleveland Browns, and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

No matter what event he chose to enjoy, Gary had the most fun when he could share it with his family.  His family was his most important treasure, and he happily took them to sporting events; took them camping, fishing, and boating; and even built a putt-putt golf course, movie theater, and slip-n-slide in his back yard to entertain his grandchildren and great-nephews.

Gary is survived by his wife, Sandy, of close to 45 years; two daughters, Anna (Matt) Garner of Connelly Springs, NC, and Becky Collier of Ocala, FL; and four grandchildren, Will, Michael, Leily, and Lilly Collier.  Gary is also survived by his brother Steve (Cathy) Ogle of Danville, IL; nephew Mark Ogle of Brazil, IN; niece Mary Davis of Flora, IN; and great-nephews Gage and Gabriel Davis, as well as many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws.

In addition to his father, Gary was preceded in death by his niece, Megan S. Ogle.

Family will receive friends at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Hudson, NC, from 10-11 am on Saturday, June 15, 2024, followed by a funeral service at 11 am, officiated by Pastor Robert Livingston. Burial will follow in the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. For those who would like to attend but are unable, a live stream of the service will be available through Evans Funeral Home in Lenoir, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Gary’s name to the SECU House in Winston-Salem, NC. This ministry was a blessing to Gary and his family during his battle with cancer.  Checks can be made out to SECU House with Gary Ogle listed on the memo line, and they can be mailed to: SECU House 1970 Baldwin Ln Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Evans Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Gary Wayne Ogle.

Please copy and paste this link in your web browser to live stream Gary's Funeral Service.

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