Gone, But Not Forgotten…By Marjorie Stephens
[George J. Ogg, November 1954 – January 2011]
George (and his wife Christina) Ogg came into my life somewhere in the mid-1990’s, when he was playing music with the Belairs and my husband and I would swing dance to that rockin’ rockabilly music, along with all of the young jumpin’, jivin’ dancers.
There were so many venues and events to enjoy George’s music: Playing with the Belairs at an outdoor concert, for a wedding reception, with a jazz group at Club Soda, or going solo strumming Beatles and other songs on his guitar. George was the consummate musician and dearly loved by so many. His talent was unparalleled. Music was so in his soul.
In 2006, George was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
When BBB held a fundraising auction on the evening of October 29, 2009, I called my friend George and asked if he would be willing to play for our function. Without hesitation, he said “Yes.” He played his guitar beautifully. It wasn’t until later that we found out it was a struggle for George to be there that evening since he had undergone a round of chemo that day. Those that have gone through that ordeal know the physical toll it takes. George never let on.
George is just one of those guys you took an immediate liking to. I never saw him once without a smile. I never saw George that he was not playing his heart out, whether it was to an audience of a few or a crowded room. He gave it his all, every single time.
The bone marrow transplant that had been scheduled for Fall 2010 never came to fruition for George. B cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma kept one step ahead of him, but George’s spirit never relented and his smiles never ceased.
I had the privilege of spending time with George a few days before his death. Although the visit was uplifting; it wasn’t easy, knowing I may never see him physically alive again, but it was George – just like always – who put me at ease. He was smiling. He was contented. And he knew exactly where he was going after his life here on earth was complete. No questions. No “why me.” Just a plain and simple, “I am ready.” He knew he would be “whole George” again, not confined to a bed.
If you had the privilege of knowing George, you know the words I write are true. If you didn’t, I hope you have had the privilege of knowing a “George” in your life. George was at his best riding his tractor, playing his music and strumming his guitar, teaching his music students, spending time with Christina and his children Eric, Kirsten and Natalie, and always going out of his way to ‘play for the crowd.’ That’s a great testimony to a life well spent. His music will live on and his spirit will always be one step ahead of me, strumming one rockin’ tune after another.
Ah, that heavenly music! Rock on, George Ogg!