Jack C. Ogg

OGG, JACK C. (1933 ~ 2018). The following is an obituary for former Texas State Senator Jack C. Ogg. The obituary was published in the March 11, 2018 edition of the Houston Chronicle.

Jack C. Ogg
1933-2018
Texas Senator Jack C. Ogg passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 3, 2018. Born September 7, 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri, Jack was the son of Jewel and Mildred Owens Ogg and was the oldest of three sons. He was born in the Depression era to parents whose desire for a better life and tough work ethic brought them to Houston in the late 1930s.

Jack Ogg was a graduate of the University of Houston where he was twice elected Class President. He was also President of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, and a UH cheerleader. Following his graduation, Jack met Connie Harner in 1958 and they married New Year's Day, 1959. They remained married until her death in 2010. Jack and Connie both worked days so that Jack could attend night classes at South Texas College of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1962 and was an an active trial lawyer for the next 52 years, representing thousands of individuals and companies in mediation and litigation. Jack's law partners included M. B. Merrill, David Capps, Charles "Sonny" Sowell, Robert N. Hinton, Michael Landrum and, and finally his daughter, Kim Ogg at the Ogg Law Firm. Jack was named one of the Five Outstanding Young Texans by the Texas Junior Chamber of Commerce in the first 10 years of his career in law.

In 1966, Jack Ogg was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. Jack's 16-year political career included 12 successful contested elections, one of which elevated him to the Texas Senate in 1973, where he served for a decade, two years as Senate Pro Tem, second to Lt. Gov. William P. Hobby. During Jack's political career, he was a prolific legislator, drafting, passing and/or sponsoring laws such as bilingual education to insure equal learning for Texas' diversifying population; liquor by the drink; the creation of the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority; the Texas Highway Beautification Act prohibiting billboards; protection of Texas beaches; prohibition of smoking in State buildings (the second law of its kind in the U.S.); reinstatement of the Death Penalty; creation of the 14th Court of Appeals and nearly half of Harris County's criminal, civil, and family courts. An unsuccessful run for Texas Attorney General in 1983 ended Jack's political career, but not his love of Texas nor interest in public affairs.

Jack was active in church and civic activity all of his life. He was a member of the C Club, the University of Houston Alumni Assn., a Master Mason in Good Standing at the Grand Lodge of Texas Galena Park and member in good order of the Knights Templar. Jack was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in the Heights and a lifelong Episcopalian with strong faith in God.

Born with an explorer's heart, and married to an equally-spirited partner, Jack traveled with Connie to 170 countries and remote destinations and visited all seven continents during their 51-year marriage. After her passing, Jack continued to travel to new countries, bringing his travel total to 223 countries and islands. His bold spirit defied his health issues and Jack departed on his final journey without fear or regret.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents and wife. He is survived by daughter Kim Ogg, her partner Olivia Jordan, and grandson Jack Justus Jordan; son Jon Ogg and his wife Kendra Evans Ogg, and their two children; brother Larry Ogg and wife Priscilla; brother Jim Ogg and wife Paula; sister-in-law Vicki Harner Powell; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jack had a generous and loving relationship with all of his family, which he considered his first priority. His friends, family, and dog, Charlie, will miss him always; Jack Ogg was the life of the party, a man of his word and the world.

The family wishes to express our appreciation for Jack's loving caregivers and to Dr. Scott Lloyd and Dr. Nadim Nasir for years of top notch medical care that allowed Jack to live his life fully.

A memorial service for the Hon. Jack C. Ogg will be held Monday, March 19, 2018 at 2 p.m. at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Rd., Houston 77056. Memorial donations in Jack's memory may be made to the Open Door Mission (Houston) or Houston Food Bank.