Lonnie Ogden, Jr., 83, of Odum died Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Hospice of South Georgia in Jesup. A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, he was born to Annie Carter Ogden and Lonnie Ogden, Sr., of the Piney Grove Community.

He graduated from Jesup High School in the Class of 1959 and always looked forward to the many reunions of that class over the years. He served 6 years in the Army National Guard and retired from his work as a lubricator at Rayonier after 39 years. He married his wife Mary Carter Ogden in July 1965, making this upcoming July their 60th anniversary.

From childhood, Lonnie was an animal and nature enthusiast, as evidenced by the procession of animals he rescued, tamed, sheltered, fostered, and/or adopted.  His interest in homing pigeons developed into a fascinating and rewarding hobby which he enjoyed for 50+ years. His birds were consistent winners in the many races he entered with them as a member of the Golden Isles of Georgia Pigeon Club, of which he was a founder, and the Effingham County Pigeon Club. He relished opportunities to share with individuals and community groups the history and utility of pigeons as messengers in wars and other situations requiring secrecy and stealth.

Despite his usual quiet, reserved, unassuming demeanor, he was known as a talented storyteller whose innate sense of comedy, keen observation skills, and dry wit enabled him to find and express the humor in everyday situations. Usually, his tales were drawn from personal experiences at work, while fishing, in medical situations, or even at church, revealing a unique ability to make the commonplace funny.

A skilled fisherman, he has been called "a white perch legend." As his strength waned with his illness, he often expressed a longing for "one more trip" to Shade Lake, his favored fishing site. Next to catching them, he enjoyed cooking and eating them in the company of neighbors, friends, and relatives while he entertained with his stories.

Lonnie was a giver. He had a heart for others and delighted in sharing whatever he had, especially his tomatoes for which he became well-known. He tried several farming ventures but found that he liked growing tomatoes best because tomatoes grown patiently in acidic Wayne County soil had a special, unmistakable flavor like no other. He joyfully delivered them to friends and family throughout the summer.

As the only child of his father's second marriage, Lonnie treasured his siblings from his father's first marriage to Tempie Pye Ogden. In tribute to them, in the late 1980s he initiated a family tradition, which continued 35 years, by hosting an annual Thanksgiving reunion at his home to honor his family and bring them home to the Piney Grove Community of their roots. After preparing weeks in advance, he would rise well before dawn on Thanksgiving Day to smoke a variety of meats to be shared in "dinner-on-the-grounds" fashion along with the sides provided by attendees. Over the years, owing to Lonnie and Mary's innate hospitality, good will and generosity, the guest list grew to include friends, friends of friends, members of the community, the extended family, and occasionally guests from foreign countries. Those times remain sweet memories for those blessed to attend.

Lonnie was a leader in the preservation and maintenance of the historic Piney Grove Cemetery. As a founding member of the Piney Grove Cemetery Trust (an organization created with the goal of perpetual care and maintenance),  he labored physically, worked at fund-raising events, and, as the landowner adjacent to the cemetery, made several land donations to enlarge the site.

Lonnie was reared in the Piney Grove Church of God where he became a member as a young adult. In recent years, he moved to the Odum Church of God where he worked tirelessly beside the pastor in the Food Bank Ministry and always arrived early to church services to fulfill his self-assigned role as a greeter. Always a man of faith and strong moral convictions, he lived a simple life consistent with what his Bible taught him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Viola (Logan) Dent, Verdie (George) OQuinn, Verma (Bill) Cribbs, Lester (Pearl) Ogden, Tom (Velma) Ogden, Pearl (Rufus) Roberson, Janell (Hilda) Ogden, Dewitt (Evelyn) Ogden, and Calvert (Margie) Ogden.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Carter Ogden; sister-in-law, Patsy Giles of Odum; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 9th, at 11:00 a.m.in the Chapel of Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home with the Reverend Justin Moriarty officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A private burial will be held at Piney Grove Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Hugh Herrin, Kyle Herrin, Richard Strickland, John Schlitz, Randy Ogden, and Jack Ogden. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of Hospice of South Georgia and members of the Jesup High School Class of 1959.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, 31545.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.