Obituary: Ogsbury, Donovan Charles
Don was born on February 22, 1926, in Portland, OR, to Earl and Edra (Green) Ogsbury.
He and his older brother Jack grew up in Spokane, WA, where he attended Wilson and Hutton grade schools and graduated early from Lewis and Clark High School to enter the U.S. Air Corps, serving in WWII.
He then attended the University of Idaho, pledging Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and earning a BA degree in Business Administration in 1949.
Don moved to Nogales, AZ, in 1950 to help run the family motel, El Coronado.
One fun memory of Don’s time in Nogales was when the movie “Oklahoma” was filmed there and many of the cast members and crew stayed at their motel.
Don even briefly dated Shirley Jones!
Don moved to Phoenix, AZ, in 1960 and began a career in commercial real estate, focusing exclusively on hotel/motel sales around the country.
While visiting Spokane, he met Adell Lasswell through mutual friends and they married in August 1962.
Along with his new wife, Don also acquired two sons - Steve and Kevin.
They lived happily in Phoenix until 1983 when Adell passed away.
While visiting Spokane, again, in 1984, Don was introduced by the same mutual friends to Jean Low Smith and they married in July 1986.
With his second marriage, Don acquired four more children - Camie, Robyn, Whitney and Jeanne.
Don and Jean shared a mutual love of travel, taking at least one major trip a year to destinations that included Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and South America.
They also enjoyed summer visits to Spokane to spend time with family and friends, and began the cherished tradition of annual family reunions, creating many wonderful memories the family will treasure forever.
Don loved a good game of golf, bridge, a challenging puzzle, his morning crossword and family get-togethers.
He had great fun with golfing and fishing trips and fraternity gatherings.
Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Adell; his brother, Jack Ogsbury; granddaughter, Elena Lasswell; and daughter-in-law, Molly Lasswell.
He is survived by: his wife, Jean; children Steve Lasswell (Ann Marie Donohoe) of Westcliffe, CO, Kevin Lasswell (Denyce) of Denver, CO, Camie Wereley (Jason) of Coeur d’Alene, ID, Robyn Smith (Todd Walker) of Hayden, ID, Whitney Smith (Kirsten Zawoysky) of Bainbridge Island, WA, and Jeanne Daniel (Jim) of San Diego, CA; grandchildren: Stephanie, Kristopher, Courtney and Alex; Martin, Katie, Joseph, John and Michael; Sarah, Mary and Andrew; Hayden and Forrest; and Colin; and 15 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Elaine Ogsbury of Phoenix, AZ, nephew Jim Ogsbury of Lakewood, CO, and nieces Carol Ogsbury of New York, NY, and Janice Ogsbury of Cottage Grove, OR; and cousins Jan and Elmer Hill of North Powder, OR; plus other special friends and extended family.
A mass in Don’s memory is planned for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, at the Franciscan Renewal Center (The Casa) at 5802 E. Lincoln, Paradise Valley, AZ, with a reception to follow there.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Don’s memory to the Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E. Lincoln, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253.
Arrangements entrusted to Messinger Indian School Mortuary.