Mike Ogden, 80, of Orange, Texas, died Friday, December 28, 2023. He was born on June 1, 1943, in Woodville, Texas to Marshall S. Ogden and Zera Ogden.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m., Monday, December 11, 2023, at Magnolia Cemetery in Woodville. Officiating will be Brother Robert Williams.
In his early years, Mike honorably served in the US Navy. Mike then carried on a long and successful career in industrial construction. However, his greatest accomplishments did not occur until reuniting with, and marrying, his true love Ruby Nell. Mike chose to take on a broken home with a widow and two preteen boys. He opened his heart and shared his love to transform two lost boys into men. After graduation, Mike and Ruby Nell spent the next ten years traveling together, working, and never leaving each other’s side. In 2011, Mike and Ruby Nell retired, and moved to Orange, Texas. Shortly after retirement, Ruby Nell was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer. Ruby Nell passed in January of 2012, and Mike remained a loving and devoted father to Cody, despite there being no legal binding of their relationship. Over the following years, Mike and Cody spent countless hours together, strengthening their bond out on the water fishing, which was Mike’s favorite pastime. In April of 2021, Cody married his wife Cimarron, in which Mike stood by Cody’s side as his Best Man. Later that same year, the unbroken bond of father and son was solidified, when Mike officially adopted Cody. In his remaining years, Mike was a loving grandfather to Cimarron’s son, Ryan, and welcomed his newest grandson, Tucker, into his life right before his passing.
For Cody, Mike was his hero. Not only did he teach him how to be a man, but he also taught him what a dad should really be, and that blood and a last name are nothing more than that. Mike dedicated the better part of his remaining 30 years of life, being the dad, he didn’t have to be.
Mike is survived by his son Cody Tillerson, daughter-in-law Cimarron Tillerson, grandsons Ryan McKey and Tucker Tillerson, and nieces Anna Corbett, Maleah Saucedo, and Lilly Saucedo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Zera Ogden; and his wife Ruby Nell Ogden.
Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas.
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