Richard Archer Oglesby ’48, of Atlanta, Ga., joined God in glory on Feb. 26, 2012. He was surrounded by his family and died peacefully after a short battle with cancer. The son of Dr. and Mrs. Stuart R. Oglesby, Jr., Oglesby was born Aug. 22, 1923, in Monticello, Ark.
He moved to Atlanta in 1930 when his father accepted a call to serve as the senior pastor of Central Presbyterian Church. Oglesby remained a faithful member of that church until his death, having served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, and elder. Oglesby attended Davidson. During WWII he was decorated with the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while flying C-46s over the “Hump” between India and China. After returning to Davidson and graduating with honors, Oglesby joined the First National Bank of Atlanta, where he worked in a variety of positions and retired after 35 years as a senior executive of the bank. While he was at First National he mentored a number of trainees, many of whom became business and civic leaders in Atlanta. Oglesby was a member of the Piedmont Driving Club.
In 1959, Oglesby married the lady of his dreams, Lamar Lipscomb Ellis, 468 Westover Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. They loved one another fully and completely until death did them part, as they had promised on their wedding day. Together they raised a family of four children, all of whom survive him: John F. Oglesby (Nancy), Richard A Oglesby, Jr. (Caye), Frances O. Williamson (Michael), and Wm. Ellis Oglesby (Lucy). Although comfortable in any setting from the backroom to the boardroom, Oglesby was never happier than when he was spending time at his cabin at Porter Springs, near Dahlonega, Ga. Having grown up spending time there, Oglesby purchased the home in 1960 and created a haven for his family where they could all learn to enjoy the outdoors. He spent many hours teaching his children and grandchildren, as well as extended family and friends, water skiing, boat driving, land clearing, and the love of the outdoors.
Oglesby is also survived by his brother, M. Lamar Oglesby(Jane), and 10 grandchildren: Will, David, Frances, and Ellie Oglesby, Tyler Stuckey, Robert Stuckey, Sarah and Jack Williamson, and Luke and Rick Oglesby.