The Reverend David Lawrence Ogletree

Reverend David Ogletree, 78, died Saturday morning, September 6th at Hospice of the Golden Isles. He was born on March 9, 1936 in Perry, Georgia and held degrees from Oxford University, LaGrange College, Columbia University, and Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Ordained Elder by Bishop John Owen Smith in the North Georgia Conference, he served Kirkwood, Sam Jones, and Gainesville United Methodist churches. David was Youth Minister and then Associate Pastor at Atlanta first United Methodist Church for over 33 years. Admired and appreciated by everyone he met, David was a spiritual blessing to countless numbers of children, youth and adults in the United Methodist Church and beyond. A true southern gentleman and spiritual mentor, Reverend Ogletree loved and served Jesus Christ and the church throughout his life.

He was an avid collector and historian, who contributed to many museums, including his Abraham Lincoln collection housed at Young Harris College as well as his extensive Wesley and Georgia memorabilia donated to the Arthur Moore Methodist Museum. While serving at Sam Jones, he was named the Young Man of the Year by the Cartersville Jaycees. The author of four published books of poetry, he is past president of Atlanta’s Writers’ Club. He was named Author of the Year for Landscapes in 1977 by the Georgia Association of Authors and Publishers. David attended the first camp at Epworth By The Sea in 1950 and returned for countless events for over 61 years. He organized and hosted the long-running Older Adult retreat from Atlanta First UMC, which continues to this day. In 2005, his dream of moving to St. Simons Island became a reality. He taught a very popular Sunday School and weekly Bible study at Wesley United Methodist Church at Frederica. An accomplished musician, Braves fan, world traveler, and poet, most of all, David was an amazing man who has been a true friend and servant of God.

Reverend Ogletree is predeceased by his parents Earl and Mildred Ogletree and brother, Bobby Ogletree. He is survived by sisters Carlene Harris, Lawrenceville, and Dot (Dozier) Blackstock, Perry, and Richard Ogletree, Fort Valley. He also leaves ten nieces and nephews and their families, who dearly loved their “Uncle David”. He is greatly missed by his special friends and caregivers, Judi and Fred Fergus and their daughters, Alayna and Maura, of St. Simons Island.

Arrangements made by Edo Miller Funeral Home. Services will be held on Wednesday, September 10th with visitation from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm and funeral at 1:00 pm at Wesley United Methodist Church at Frederica with Reverend Steve Patton and Rev. Mark Kase officiating. A graveside service will be held Thursday at 2:30 pm at Evergreen Cemetery in Perry with Dr. Robert Harris officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Wesley UMC at Frederica, 6520 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522, the Methodist Children’s Home, 304 Pierce Ave, Macon, GA 31204 or to Atlanta First United Methodist Church, 360 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30308.