Larry E. Ogden

BRUNSWICK – Larry E. Ogden was almost born in the backseat of Doctor Lynn Beal’s automobile at 11:10 p.m. on April 8, 1947, to the parents of Ernest H. Ogden and Roxie K. Gray. With no hospital in their hometown of Fredonia, Kan., or his parents owning a vehicle, arrangements were made with Dr. Beal to drive them 35 miles to Mercy Hospital in Independence, Kan. for his delivery. He remembered his parents saying later in years that it was a close call, but with a heavy foot on the gas pedal, Dr. Lynn got there in time.

Larry passed away on Friday, May 15, 2025.

Larry grew up in Fredonia, Kan. and graduated from high school where his class motto was “The best darn class there is alive, Fredonia Class of 1965” He participated in the annual Christmas Pageant and had a small acting role in his senior play. He also ran in the Fredonia Relays and other track events as a quarter miler.

He went on to attend Kansas State University (KSU), majoring in Horticulture and Business Administration. Having spent many hours helping out at Bunch’s Greenhouse and enjoying working with plants and flowers, his ambition was to become a florist upon graduation.

That plan got delayed by the war in Vietnam. He was inducted into the Army in 1969 and took his basic training at Fort Leonardwood, Mo. followed by four months of training at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind. to become a stenographer. He graduated writing 135 words and typing 80 words a minute on a manual typewriter. His next assignment was 13 months working at Headquarters 19th Support Command in Seoul, Korea which was later moved to Taegu, Korea. His final assignment was with Headquarters, 2nd Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas which later became Headquarters 1st Cav Division upon their return from Vietnam. He obtained the rank of Specialist 5 and was very proud of his service to his country.

Shortly after his enlistment ended, his father passed away and his mother desired to move back to Indiana. He finished his semester at KSU and moved with her to Indiana. He later moved to Washington, D.C. and passed his Civil Service Exam and began working in the Office of Personnel Operations, Field Artillery Officer Assignments assisting in the placement of officers in various artillery positions. It was there that he met his dear friend, Kenneth Hench. His next assignment was with the Military Personnel Center, Enlisted Personnel Actions Branch. There he prepared correspondence in response to requests for information on behalf of the White House and Congress concerning the well-being and administrative issues of Army enlisted personnel. His next assignment was with the Army Surgeon General retention office for medical doctors and later in another capacity as the International Military Training Officer for medical training of international military students. His final assignments were with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and later the Under Secretary of the Army for International Affairs as the senior International Military Training Officer for international students with emphasis on the placement of foreign officers at the Army War College and Command and General Staff College as well as the Sergeant’s Major Academy. He also managed the EURO/NATO Helicopter Pilot Training Program. His main office was destroyed at the Pentagon during the 9-11-2021 attack on the country. Larry retired in 2002 after 30-plus years of federal service.

Larry always said living in Harpswell in the summer and Brunswick in the winter was the best of both worlds.

His hobbies were family genealogy research, planting flowers and reading spy mysteries as well as the New York daily paper.

Larry was predeceased by his parents; and half-brother, Billy Joe; along with his nephew, Donnie; and his best friend, Ken

He is survived by his two nieces, Wendy Ogden Barton of Fredonia, Kan., and Jean Ogden Johnson of Virginia Beach, Va., and his nephew, Russell Ogden of Fredonia, Kan.; and several cousins.

A mass of Christian burial was celebrated Saturday, May 17, at St. Charles Borromeo Church, McKeen St., Brunswick. Larry will be interred in Maine Veteran’s Cemetery, Augusta. Memories and condolences can be shared at http://www.brackettfh.com.

Contributions in memory of Larry made be made to:

All Saints Parish

144 Lincoln St.

Bath, ME 04530

in support of their audio/visual equipment for those that are unable to attend weekly Mass