Michael Ray Oglesby

Michael Ray Oglesby was born on August 14, 1940 to Lucille Woosley and Robert John Oglesby of Commerce, Texas and made his transition on Thursday, March 21, 2013, after succumbing to the ravages of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). He is preceded in death by both parents, his sister Christine Wickersham and his oldest son Jason Michael Oglesby. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jeanenne Grammer Oglesby, his sons Daniel and Adam, his daughter-in-law Amy and two precious grandchildren, Luke and Katherine. He is also survived by his older brother Bob Oglesby and his wife Tessa of Dallas and younger brother Joe Oglesby and his wife Kay of Yukon, Ok., his two sisters, Jean Follis of Baytown and Ann Julian and her husband Hoyle of Klondike, and many nieces and nephews.

Mike attended public school in Commerce and began his love of the drums in the high school marching band. He played with a combo throughout college and loved to tell the story about playing a gig in Sulphur Springs with J.P Richardson, the "Big Bopper".

He served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961 and spent 13 months in Korea. When he returned to Commerce, he finished his BS degree in political science and history at East Texas State University. He met and married Jeanenne Grammer of Dallas and moved to the Metroplex to begin his career in the group insurance business. His persistence and determination to get a job done and done well proved to be the traits that contributed to his sales and managerial success.

After selling his company in 1997, he began developing land and building homes in the Rockwall area. In 2004, he began investing in his hometown of Commerce, remodeling older homes and building new housing for college students and residents.

Mike was an active and an honorary member of the Lake Highlands Exchange Club and served as club president and district president of the service club. Each year Mike and his wife awarded scholarships through the Exchange Club to deserving students in memory of their oldest son. He also served on the Dallas Police Review Board and later, after moving to Commerce, joined the Commerce Rotary Club and served on the Texas A&M University- Commerce Alumni Board.

Mike was passionate about his family, business, history, traveling, politics and high school football. He was an avid reader and especially liked reading about WWII and other strategic events in history. In 2004 he had the opportunity to visit Normandy, France.

In Lieu of usual remembrances, donations may be made to Texas A&M University-Commerce Foundation, Mike Oglesby Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 3425 Commerce, Tx. 75429.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 22, 2013, from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Restland Memorial Park-Dallas. with Rev. Valarie Englert officiating.