William Ernest "Jack" Ogburn Jr.

William Ernest ""Jack"" Ogburn, Jr. died peacefully on May 25, 2017, at the age of 84. A Winston-Salem native, Jack grew up near Ogburn Station and attended Mineral Spring High School. He earned a bachelors at North Carolina State University, where he studied engineering and was captain of the fencing team. He met his wife, Peggy Bost, at a dance after a basketball game on campus. Jack and Peggy married in 1955, and after his two years of service in the Army, the couple came back to Winston-Salem, where they raised five children. Jack spent his career at RJ Reynolds as an industrial engineer, also known as an efficiency expert, which he said required ""a very smart lazy man."" He helped design tobacco and food product manufacturing plants around the nation and the world, including in Latin American, Europe and China. After his retirement, Jack and Peggy traveled for fun, and taking cruises in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and on the Volga River in Russia. They even rode camels at the foot of the pyramids in Egypt. Service was an important part of Jack's life. He was involved with the Boy Scouts for more than six decades, starting with joining the troop that his father, William E. ""Jack"" Ogburn, Sr. led. He was a leader for Scout Masters for the Old Hickory Council for many decades. He and Peggy also helped run summer camps for Cub Scouts and he was also a camp inspector. Jack was proud of the four generations of Ogburns in Scouting, from his father, to his sons, and grandchildren, Noah and Josh and Girls Scouts Claire and Emily Deahl. His research into family history, showing that Ogburns came to the state in 1800, led to his joining the Forsyth County Genealogical Society. He volunteered with the N.C. Military History project of the state archives, collecting personal histories of service from N.C. veterans for over 15 years. He also joined the local Iwo Jima veterans group, although his military service was after the war, making him the ""youngster"" of the bunch. His faith communities also benefited from his commitment. Jack served in many leadership roles at the Memorial United Church of Christ and later, he was an active member of Konnoak Hills United Methodist Church. He had many health challenges in his final decade. The ravages of several bouts of oral cancer and multiple surgeries and heart conditions did not diminish his personal dignity or his willingness to take part in whatever life offered. He still enjoyed his morning cup of coffee and his evening dish of ice cream. Jack is survived by his children and their families: Jackie Ogburn, husband, Ben Deahl, and Claire and Emily Deahl; Donna Ogburn; Lenny and wife, Allison, and Zachary and Lauren Ogburn, Dennis and wife, Donna Lanclos, and Willow and Wiley Ogburn; Roger and wife, Jennifer, and Noah and Josh Ogburn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ethel Ogburn; Peggy, his wife of 50 years; and his granddaughter Lily. Visitation will be at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home, 3315 Silas Creek Parkway, Wednesday, May 31, 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be in the same location, Thursday, June 1, at 2 p.m., followed by a graveside service at Parklawn Memorial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boy scouts of America, a veterans' organization or other charity. Online condolences may be made at www.Hayworth-Miller.com.

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