James Craig Ogden

James Craig Ogden Obituary James Craig “Jim” Ogden, of Loving, NM, passed away in his home on October 24, 2015 at 94. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church in Carlsbad, NM at 2:30 p.m. Private interment will be held prior to the service. Born in Carlsbad in 1921, Jimmie Ogden, as family called him, was the son of Jay Reed Ogden and Pearl Birt Ogden. Jimmie, raised on the family’s farm near Malaga on Black River, attended elementary school in Loving, and graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1938. In the fall of ’38, Jim attended New Mexico A & M (NMSU), crediting his mother's egg and butter money for enabling him to go to college. While at A &M, Jim was a charter member of SAE fraternity, member of Block & Bridle, the Livestock Judging Team and ROTC. Jim worked for the Ag College milking goats and at the sheep barn. In June of 1942, Jim received his diploma in Ag Business & Economics, his commission into the Marine Corps, and his military orders, all on the same day. 2nd Lt James C. Ogden went to Quantico in July 1942 and graduated from OCS in December 1942. James trained at various bases in the United States before shipping out to serve in the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged in January, 1946 with the rank of Captain in the United States Marine Corps. Jim married Mary Sue Forehand on December 30, 1945 at the First Presbyterian Church in Carlsbad, NM. Following their marriage, Jim attended the University of California at Berkley for a year before returning to Loving to farm. In the 50's, Jim leased the Roy Forehand ranch on Black River from his mother-in-law, Masie Ussery Forehand, and ultimately purchased it from her. The union of Jim and Sue Ogden, which lasted 68 years, began a farming and ranching operation along Black River that continues today. Farming was Jim’s calling, livelihood, and passion. His drive and desire to improve farming practices led him to work with the NMSU Ag College. Jim cooperated in advancing agricultural procedures and innovations by planting experimental cotton and alfalfa seed varieties, and by improving water use efficiency, to name a few. He was one of the first farmers in the Pecos Valley to own a laser plane. Jim served on the boards of Carlsbad Irrigation District, N.M. Crop Improvement Association, N.M.Cotton Advisory Committee, and was a member of numerous other civic, agriculture, and community organizations. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church Carlsbad and attended FPC Ruidoso, NM while residing in their second home in San Patricio, NM. Jim and Sue were active supporters of NMSU and the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum and received the A J Crawford Pioneer Award in 1995 from the Carlsbad Foundation. In 1981, Jim was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by the College of Agriculture and Home Economics at NMSU. In 1988, on the 100th Anniversary of NMSU, Jim was honored as one of the Ag College’s 100 Outstanding Graduates. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, son Jay Dudley, an infant son, his sister Doris Kimbley, and in 2013 by his wife, Sue. Jim is survived by his children: Susan Ogden Benting, Nashville, TN; Karen Ogden Cortese and her husband, Nick, Ft. Sumner, NM; Alisa Ogden, Loving, NM and Craig William Ogden and his wife, Teresa, Loving, NM. Grandchildren are: Alana Benting Garcia, and husband Ernesto; Jay Cortese and wife Tara; Michael Benting and fiance Diane Hutchinson; Ross Cortese; Brett Cortese; Joseph Ogden and wife Tessa: Linsey Ogden; and Jay Cody Stell. Great-grandchildren: Brady, Kyla, and Joshua Cortese; and Sebastian and Lilly Garcia. Also surviving Jim are: sisters-in-law Ann Langlinais, Elizabeth Smith, brother-in-law Harlen Smith; and nephews Hayden Kimbley and wife Debbie, Reed Kimbley and wife Patricia. His grandchildren will serve as his pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to NMSU Foundation for the James C. and Mary Sue Ogden Scholarship P.O.Box 3590 Las Cruces, NM 88003; N.M. Boys Ranch; First Presbyterian Church, Carlsbad or a charity of your choice. Jim's family offers heartfelt appreciation to his remarkable caregivers, Dawndri, Monica, Tish, Shannon, and especially, Sally Vasquez for their expert care and loving kindness.