Connie Harner Ogg

OGG, CONNIE HARNER (1940 ~ 2010). The following is an obituary for Connie Ogg, spouse of former Texas State Senator Jack Ogg. The obituary was published in the June 20, 2010 edition of the Houston Chronicle.

CONNIE HARNER OGG passed from the bonds of this earth into the arms of the Lord, Tuesday, June 15, 2010 after a valiant two-year battle with colon cancer.

She was born on Easter Sunday, March 24, 1940 to Fred and June Harner in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Once the family moved to Houston in 1942, Connie became a lifelong Houstonian. An honor student, she graduated from Galena Park High School, where she was active in the arts, rodeo, and Junior Achievement, and was a captain in the drill team, the GPHS Jacketeers.

After graduation, she worked as a secretary, where she met her husband-to-be, Jack Ogg. They were married on New Year's Day, January 1, 1959.Connie believed in helping everyone and everything, particularly the underdogs and have-nots. She loved all animals, especially horses, and was a champion barrel-racer in her youth. During the 1960's and 70's, Connie became a veteran fundraiser for Texas Children's Hospital through volunteer ticket sales for the Pin Oak Charity Horseshow, where she rose to Chairman in 1977.She valued and supported efforts dedicated to conservation of the forests and preservation of the vanishing wild kingdoms on earth. During her lifetime she belonged and contributed to the Senate Ladies Club, Friends of Hermann Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Natural History, the Watercolor Art Society, Sisterhood of Temple Emanu El, and the Travelers' Century Club.

She was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in the Heights and of the Briar Club. Her love of travel and desire to see and learn about other peoples' customs and cultures led her and Jack over all seven continents and through 172 countries. She was a true Renaissance woman.Connie and Jack were married over 51 years. Their mutual interest in public service led to Jack's political career as a Texas State Representative and Senator from 1967 1983 and it was Connie's commitment to the ecology that aided passage of Texas beach preservation legislation.

She was First Lady of Texas in 1983 during Jack's Governor for a Day Ceremony.Connie's interest in art and eye for beauty produced two successful entrepreneurships of her own in interior decorating and jewelry design. Whatever the job, Connie enjoyed the challenge and kept her sense of humor. She was fun. Her physical beauty was exceeded only by her brilliant inner spirit. Connie's smile was her calling card and reflected her deep love of God, family and friends.Connie is preceded in death by her mother June Harner; father Fred Harner; and brother-in-law Michael Powell.

She is survived by husband Jack Ogg; son Jon Ogg and wife Kendra Evans; daughter Kim Ogg and partner Olivia Jordan; grandson Jack Jordan; sister Vicki Powell; cousins Sharon Kay Longcor and Anita Ross; brother and sister- in-laws Larry and Priscilla Ogg and Jim and Paula Ogg; nieces Priscilla Hinton and husband Vance Hinton and Andrea Moravitz and husband Corey Moravitz; nephew J.W. Ogg and wife Summer Ogg; numerous other relatives, and a host of friends who will never forget her.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Connie Ogg will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at the Church of St. John the Divine (Episcopal), 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77019. Flowers may be sent to St. John's or, in lieu of flowers, a contribution to the World Wild Life Fund may be made in memory of Connie Ogg.You are gone, but your passion and zest for life will live on in our hearts.`Eternity is Forever.'