Raymond W. Ogle

Ray began his life journey on March 27, 1926 in Alliance, OH, the second child born to Lou P. and Mary Ogle. A sister Carolyn was born 12/11/23 and a brother Don 4/24/30, His fathers job with the Real Estate Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad took the family to Canton, OH and to Berwyn, IL, where Ray graduated from J. Sterling Morton High School in 1944, a place he cherished enough to save his hall pass for another 68 years. Soon after graduation, Ray was drafted into the US Navy and trained at Great Lakes before becoming the youngest crew member on the USS Register APD, whose mission was to transport troops, equipment and underwater combat demolition teams to landing beaches, evacuate casualties and act as screening vessel. The ship suffered an attack by several Japanese Kamikaze planes as they took a screening station off the Southwest tip of Okinawa and later, after major repairs, was 1 of 3 ships to rescue survivors of the USS Indianapolis when it was sunk by a Japanese sub on July 30, 1945. Ray saved a photo of his giving a small cup of water to a sunburned, oil stained sailor as he rested on deck before transfer to a hospital ship. On a lighter occasion, during an off duty nap in the shade of one of the ship's large guns, Ray's peaceful slumber was disturbed by an unscheduled gunnery practice. No more on deck naps followed. As staff artist for his ship's yearbook, his humorous look at life onboard was featured throughout the publication. Until recent years of health issues, Ray remained in touch with fellow crew members at annual reunions in such cities as Norfolk, VA, Charleston SC, Seattle, WA and Pensacola, FL. After the war, Ray joined his parents in Indianapolis, IN and attended Butler University for 2 years, became a member of Lambda Alpha Chi fraternity, decided to study architecture and transferred to the University of Cincinnati where he received his BS Degree in Architecture in 1955. While at UC, Ray served as Editor and cartoonist of the Coop Engineer Magazine and was selected for membership in ODK, a men's honorary. He also helped design and install a large sundial on campus as a senior class gift to the university. When a student at Butler, Ray met his future wife, Annabelle, when the Lambda Chi's serenaded the new pledges at the Tri Delt house. They were "pinned" the following summer and married August 3, 1952, 1 year after her graduation. They moved to Cincinnati where Annabelle joined the staff of the UC Public Relations Department until their first child, Jacquelynn Sue was born April 13, 1955, just in time to attend her father's graduation . The new family moved back to Indianapolis in the Fall of 1955 and Ray began his professional career with a local architectural firm, later joining the Everett I. Brown Co where he spent most of his years until retiring in 1993. He also independently designed many area buildings such as a medical office, a restaurant, a golf course club house, a Holiday Inn, auto sales and service facilities, truck centers, and several homes. He also designed stained glass windows for a church and a large cross for the main sanctuary of another church. Ray was active in Sertoma and Optimist Clubs. On one occasion, he famously invited anyone who purchased a ticket to a fund raising theater production to come to his home beforehand for drinks and snacks and ended up entertaining some 70 thirsty, hungry folks who enjoyed themselves so much they all showed up late for the show! As the family grew to include Jennifer Ann on 11/29/1956, Jonathan Jay on 1/31/1959, Judith Karen on 1/18/1962 and Jerry Raymond on 5/11/1964, Ray was busy serving as President of the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and President of the Indiana Society of Architects. He served as Indianapolis Home Show Plan Architect for 2 years and was active on the Commission for Downtown Indianapolis. Former Indianapolis Mayor William Hudnut presented Ray with a key to the city for his help in securing a location and selecting a design for the USS Indianapolis Memorial along the downtown canal. Although active with his profession, Ray found time to attend the basketball, football and baseball games, track events and school productions which involved his 5 busy children and took the family camping in the family VW bus packed with a 10x12 foot tent, a dining tarp and miscellaneous equipment for excursions to such destinations as Kentucky, Virginia, Florida, and Michigan. For many years, Ray swam every lunch hour at the Natatorium and later participated on the Jordan Y Masters swim team, collecting several blue ribbons. His favorite hobbies were photography, wood carving and cartooning. He and Annabelle made their own Christmas cards every year from their first Holiday as a married couple and family members and friends received personalized greetings on birthdays and anniversaries. Ball games and swimming continued to be a large part of Ray's life as 11 active grandchildren saw their Papa Ray propped on his English shooting stick on a beach or along the sidelines of the playing field with his camera focused on them or stood before him, dripping wet, as they collected lap money they earned in the family pool. The most recent, and perhaps the most important event in Ray's life occurred about 2 years ago when he had a visitor in his hospital room during a life threatening episode of pneumonia following a broken hip. Don Bartemus, the compassion pastor of College Park Church, found Ray struggling with demons of confusion and pain and stood by his side and prayed for and with him and Ray experienced a profound peace that led him to a desire to go to church every Sunday and a firm renewed faith in his Lord. It is the knowledge of this faith that has given his family the comfort they have at this time. Thank you for your many kind expressions of sympathy – they are so supporting and caring and are an additional strength during these days. As an alternative to flowers, we encourage donations to the College Park Church Benevolent Fund in Ray's memory. . The Ogle family also would like to invite you to come to an open house at 601 Ash Drive in Carmel at 4:40 pm Wednesday to share more pleasant memories and fellowship. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan