Theodore N. (Ted) Oglesby, Jr.

Theodore N. (Ted) Oglesby, Jr. a longtime Gainesville resident and renowned journalist, passed away March 21, 2017 from complications due to ongoing heart failure.  He was 84.  He always joked how happy he was to read the morning paper and not see his name listed in the obits.  Well, today he is in Heaven reading this.

Ted was well known within the Gainesville community, arriving in 1958 fresh out of the Air Force, but as a reservist.  He began with WDUN radio and later in partnership with John Jacobs Sr., opened the Gainesville Tribune, a weekly newspaper.  He became sole owner and managing editor until the 1968 Pueblo Crisis in which the Air Force issued a “no-call” return to active duty and he served a year in Vietnam, and then stateside as an Information Officer.  During his Air Force career, he enjoyed many “special missions” which led him all over the Western Hemisphere, especially to South America.  He is distinguished that he was noted by the Air Force as “killed in action” during the 1970’s, but was in fact quite alive!  Among other distinctions is that he was honored to act as commentator at the National War College in Washington D.C. three times and he was good friends with President Nixon’s brother who also served in the Air Force.

He retired in 1981 as a Colonel of the Air Force and a Bronze Star recipient for meritorious service to the country.

In 1970, after his return to civilian life, he was appointed to help direct the 1970 Hall County census and to become heavily involved in the political process which he eventually built his reputation on as a no non-sense, fact driven commentator and journalist.

After the 1970 Census, Ted was hired by the Gainesville Daily Times as a news reporter and upon retirement was the Editorial Editor. He covered many stories, especially in politics and earned many Georgia Press Awards.  He was a speech writer for Zell Miller and begin to be involved heavily in politics.  He would have entered the political arena, but his wife Betty did not want that lifestyle for her family, so he resigned himself to be involved and contribute how he could.  He became a stalwart within the Republican Party and made unknown contributions of service.  He was the founder and longest service chairman of the Small Business Development Center until ousted by the Clinton administration, having served with distinction.  They now are ever present in the United States helping small businesses and in 14 other countries.  He was party to the development of what would become our nationwide 911 program.  He was involved with Hall County efficiency committee which made practical and meaningful recommendations which not only improved the quality of life in Hall County for the citizens, but also saved the county money.  One of his prideful moments was being directly responsible in the change of power during the Clinton years, giving Republicans control of the House and elevating longtime friend Newt Gingrich to Speaker of the House.  It involved our current Governor, Nathan Deal (and another longtime friend) switching parties as he had become disenfranchised with the direction the Democratic Party was going at the time and was thinking of stepping down.  Using his political prowess, he got both Gingrich and Deal together as they worked on a compromise to which Deal switched to the Republican Party.  Ted was a mentor to several key politicians in national and state government including our current Governor Nathan Deal, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Speaker David Ralston, former local legislators Carl Rogers and Stacey Reece among others.  Few people really know the public service he provided during his lifetime and the impact those services would have.  He was honored by Georgia Lawmakers in May 2015 for his outstanding public service.

After retirement from the Gainesville Daily Times, Ted always kept busy, hosting a Travel Club for the Georgia Retired Teachers association for many years, allowing him and wife Betty to visit many countries worldwide as travel hosts.  He was also an Enrolled Agent doing tax preparations for many years.  He was a Life Deacon at Lakewood Baptist Church and involved for many years in several capacities.  His goal and attitude in life was to be a “Servant to others”.  His autobiography, “Making a Difference for Millions Across the World” chronicles much of his life and a great read for anyone young or old in what it means to be a servant unto others.  Ted was recently honored by the Gainesville Kiwanis and presented the Hixson Award, normally presented to past Presidents, for his outstanding community service and involvement spanning over 50 years.

Ted Oglesby is survived by his wife of 64 years Betty M. Oglesby, son Reggie Oglesby, daughter Lydia Hahne and her husband Ron Hahne, both of Gainesville.  He has 2 younger brothers, Jim and John Oglesby and three grandchildren, Andrew Reece, Morgan Reece and Maxwell Oglesby. Funeral services will be held 2pm in the Lakewood Baptist Church main chapel this Saturday, March 25^th with internment at Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors. Dr. Tom Smiley will be officiating. Family will accept visitors at the Memorial Park North-Riverside Chapel this Friday between 2-4 and 6-8.  The family has asked, in lieu of flowers, that Ted be honored by making a gift to the Lakewood Baptist Church Missions Fund.  Online condolences can be made at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com . Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia 30501. 770-297-6200.