TWO Memorial Site

About Terry

Personal Life

In March 1954, Terry Ogden was born to Leslie Ann Davis Ogden and Dee Dixon Ogden in Beaumont, Texas. An avid student, he excelled in high school and earned his Associate of Arts degree from San Jacinto Community College, a Bachelors of Science degree from Lamar University, and a Master of Arts degree from University of Houston-Clear Lake.

In 1974, he married his high school sweetheart, Cynthia Kay Kelley, and they had one child, Kelley, in 1977. After a divorce, Terry remarried to fellow theater teacher Cynthia Florez in 1991 and they were together for 25 years before divorcing in 2016.

A Celebrated Teacher and Director

Outside of his daughter, Terry's greatest love was teaching and directing. He began teaching theater at West Orange High School, and after moving to Houston in 1981, he became the theater department chair at his alma mater, San Jacinto Community College, taking over from his mentor, Jerry Rollins Powell. Terry loved running the San Jac theater department and he received numerous accolades for his teaching work as well as the many theatrical productions he produced and directed.

His Struggle

In 1987, Terry was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's Disease at the age of 33. For the next 33 years, he fought his disease with unimagined bravery and humor, enduring numerous experimental treatments and two open-brain surgeries. Despite those efforts, the disease progressed until he lost his mobility, speech and independence at far too young an age. Although his disability forced him into an early retirement from his beloved teaching career, he continued to write and mentor others for as long as he could, again displaying a ferocious will to learn and live no matter the obstacle.

Memories of Terry

Kelley Ogden: TWO Memorial

Although Terry's memorial was canceled due to COVID, his daughter recorded her prepared remarks at the Powell Arena at San Jac on August 8, 2021.

Cynthia Florez: TWO Memorial

Although Terry's memorial was canceled due to COVID, Cyndy Florez, Terry's former wife, recorded her prepared remarks at the Powell Arena at San Jac on August 8, 2021

Jerry Ford: Sharing Memories of Terry

Terry's friend and colleague Jerry Ford shares what it was like to know Terry, to work and teach with him, and even to "fight" him, not to mention Terry's love of things that go BOOM!

Terry W. Ogden

3 / 27 / 1954 -- 12 / 1 / 2020 Beloved father, brother, director & teacher

Welcome to the Terry Ogden Memorial Website

About Terry

Personal Life

A Celebrated Teacher and Director

His Struggle

Terry's Life in Photos

Memories of Terry

Kelley Ogden: TWO Memorial

Cynthia Florez: TWO Memorial

Jerry Ford: Sharing Memories of Terry

Contribute or Donate

The best way to honor Terry is to help us in the fight against Parkinson's Disease!

Request to share pictures or video of Terry

Terry W. Ogden

3 / 27 / 1954 -- 12 / 1 / 2020 Beloved father, brother, director & teacher

Welcome to the Terry Ogden Memorial Website

About Terry

Personal Life

A Celebrated Teacher and Director

His Struggle

Terry's Life in Photos

Memories of Terry

Kelley Ogden: TWO Memorial

Cynthia Florez: TWO Memorial

Jerry Ford: Sharing Memories of Terry

Contribute or Donate

The best way to honor Terry is to help us in the fight against Parkinson's Disease!

Request to share pictures or video of Terry

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