Wayne Leroy Ogle, 94, formerly of Clemson, died peacefully on Saturday, May 20, 2017 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Born in Knoxville, TN he was the son of the late Otha and Demarius Ogle. He was a veteran of WWII and served in the Army with the 84th Infantry. He fought in the Battle of The Bulge and received a purple heart and the Bronze Star. After the war was over and he was discharged from the Army he entered the University of Tennessee and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in agriculture. He continued his education with a Master of Science from the University of Maryland, and finally a PHD from the University of Delaware.
He and his family moved to Clemson in 1957 where he began as a professor and performed research on southern peas and other vegetables. He developed and patented many vegetable varieties including; the Cherokee Sweet Potato, Colossus Peas, Hercules Peas, and Clemson Purple Peas. During his tenure he received several distinguished awards such as Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Professor, however, he was most proud that in 2016 the Clemson Experiment Station decided to patent and name one of his previous varieties after him. It will now be called the "Ogle Pea"
Surviving Dr. Ogle are his daughter Diane Riddle of Chattanooga, TN; his son Anthony (Tony) Ogle of Clemson; grandchildren, Ryan Glover, Jay Ogle, Tim Ogle, Jonathan Ogle, and Randy Watkins: and 1 great grandchild.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Clemson United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Old Stone Church Cemetery.
The Family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416 or to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chattanooga, 2015 Bailey Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404.
Condolences may be expressed online at in person at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central, ,which is assisting the family.