H.R. No. 361
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The city of College Station lost a greatly admired
citizen with the passing of oilman and philanthropist Emil Eugene
Ogden on July 25, 2017, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Born in Blackwell, Oklahoma, on September 15, 1927,
Emil Ogden was the only son of Homer and Mary Ogden; his childhood
was marked by hardship, and those early experiences played a part in
shaping the character and resolve that would contribute to his
success in later life; he served his country in World War II, and he
went on to play minor league baseball for the Odessa Oilers before
setting out to make a living for himself in the oil fields; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ogden was an independent oilman in Abilene for
28 years; beginning his career as a wildcatter, he supplemented his
income by coaching junior high basketball and playing the trumpet
in a big band orchestra to make ends meet; his determination
sustained him through the "boom and bust" cycle, and after moving to
Bryan-College Station in 1979, he was instrumental in developing
the Bryan Woodbine Field, one of the most significant oil
discoveries in Texas in the 1980s; along the way, he won the
loyalty, respect, and affection of numerous associates and
employees, some of whom became his lifelong friends; and
WHEREAS, Despite his fortune, Mr. Ogden never lost sight of
his humble roots, and he gave generously to a variety of
organizations benefiting citizens in need; he also actively
volunteered his time in leadership positions, which included
serving as a reserve criminal investigations deputy with the Brazos
County Sheriff's Office, as president of the West Texas Oil & Gas
Association, as an Abilene City Council member, and in numerous
other board and committee positions; his Catholic faith was a
central pillar of his life, and he dedicated a great deal of his
time and resources to the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish; and
WHEREAS, A man who exemplified the values of hard work and
perseverance, Emil Ogden leaves behind a record of service that
will long resonate in the community and that his loved ones can
remember with pride; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Emil Eugene Ogden and extend deepest condolences to the members of
his family: to his wife of nearly seven decades, Clementine Ogden;
to his children, Stephen Ogden and his wife, Beverly, Mary
Katherine Buttry and her husband, Jimmy, Paul Ogden and his wife,
Beth, Michael Ogden and his wife, Sarah, Joseph Ogden and his wife,
Karen, and Laura Young and her husband, Warren; to his 23
grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and to his other
relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Emil Ogden.
Kacal
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 361 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on August 15, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House