Archive for the ‘Arkansas’ Category

Mary Margaret Ogden Walker (’69)

MARY MARGARET OGDEN WALKER ~ Fayetteville (AR) High School, Class of 1965

Mary Margaret Ogden Walker, aged 78, of Athens, Georgia, passed away on August 1, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, wisdom, and dedication that will be cherished by all who knew her.

Born on June 16, 1947, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Mary was a beloved daughter of the late Frederick William and Clara May Buchanan Ogden. After thoroughly enjoying her high school days and making many lifelong friends, she attended the University of Arkansas where she met the love of her life in Jim Walker, by whom she would be cherished for 58 extraordinary years. After their marriage she continued her studies, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Houston.

Mary loved learning and organizing things, so after raising her boys it made perfect sense to restart her professional life at the Morris County Library. With characteristic humility she began as a lowly book-shelver, rising through the ranks until, after earning a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Rutgers University, she retired in 2014 as the Medical Reference Librarian serving a large and grateful staff at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital.

As a proud member of Delta Gamma Sorority, the Communications Workers of America, the Presbyterian Church in Morristown, and as a mother, Mary always sought out where she could be most useful, with a natural grace and empathy that drew out the best in those around her.

Mary’s preferred mode of transportation was the mid-engined sports car, of which she had two: a Porsche 914 and a Toyota MR2. In addition to these she was also known to set the occasional lap record in midget race cars. She taught her sons how to drive in inclement conditions, but this may have been an excuse to go drifting in a parking lot.

Mary was a gifted troubleshooter and designer: from fixing cars, laying out floor plans, repairing appliances, and home repair, she was an inspiration to those around her who sometimes felt like they couldn’t tackle a project. She was an excellent cook. One of her favorite recipes was the snickerdoodle, especially when prepared with her grandsons.

Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Jim Walker; her loving sons, Paul Lindsey Walker and his wife Dawn of Athens, Georgia, and James William Walker and his wife Heather of Rockaway Borough, New Jersey. She also leaves behind her cherished grandsons, Paul James Walker, James John Walker, Charles Ray William Walker, and Luke Ellison Walker, all of whom were a source of immense pride and joy for her. Mary is also survived by her brother, William Frederick Ogden, and his lifelong companion Ruth Smilan of Petaluma, California.

Mary was one of a kind in the very best sense. Her smile and the twinkle in her eye are irreplaceable. She made our lives better, richer, more fun, and we are so thankful for having known her.

Memorial services will be Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Lord and Stephens Chapel, EAST.

Douglas G. Trimble (’85)

Douglas Gregory “Greg” Trimble, 63, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away peacefully Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, at his home surrounded by his wife and family.

Greg was born Oct. 3, 1957, in Magnolia, Ark., to Don and Joyce Trimble, who live in Houston, Texas. On July 11, 1987, in Houston, Greg was united in marriage to Judy Lynne Jackson Trimble, who survives.

In 2002, he began working for Walmart Stores Inc. in Bentonville, Ark., holding several positions during the past 18 years, including Senior Director – Energy; Senior Director – Global Energy Development & Reporting; and Director – Energy Procurement.

He had worked as a Manager of Global Energy Sourcing for Owens Corning in Toledo, Ohio; Manager and Senior Specialist for Contract Risk Management and Deal Origination for Enron Energy Services in Houston; and Senior Rate Analyst for El Paso Energy/Tenneco Energy in Houston. Early in his career, he worked as a roughneck on an offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Houston in 1985 and a Master of Business Administration from University of St. Thomas in Houston in 1992.

Greg loved spending time outdoors fishing, boating, golfing and tending to his lawn, flower gardens and extensive Japanese maple tree collection at his home on Loch Lomond in Bella Vista. He had a passion for woodworking in his home shop, crafting furniture from hand-picked wood that he collected during his travels. He enjoyed caring for and playing with his dogs, Nipper and Wiggles. He also loved music, movies, museums, reading, grilling steaks and enjoying a glass of fine wine. He will always be fondly remembered as a great husband, friend and family member. He was affectionately called “Mean Uncle Greg – MUG” by his nieces. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Greg also is survived by a sister, Donna Trimble, of Houston; a brother, Mark Trimble (Ami Sadeh), of Carrollton, Texas; a daughter, Heather Leigh Jackson (Jason Mooney), of Houston; mother-in-law, Janet Trahan, of Bella Vista, Ark., sister-in-law, Kaye Fair (Charles), of Warrensburg, Mo.; brother-in-law, Edgar Jackson (Nanya), of Providence Village, Texas and sister-in-law Leigh Trahan, of Houston. Also surviving are nieces Amy Fair, Ariana Jackson, Brittany Trahan and Brooke Fuselier and nephews Gerald, Jacob, Elijah, Gabriel, Isaiah and Joshua Jackson and Hunter Roehl.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:30 p.m., at the chapel, 504 Memorial Drive. The service will begin at 2 p.m. Masks will be required, and social distancing strongly encouraged. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook. An outdoor gathering will follow at Lakepoint Restaurant & Event Center in Bella Vista. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, 504 Memorial Drive, Bella Vista, Ark., 72714, or to Hope Cancer Resources (affiliated with Highlands Oncology Group) online at www.hopecancerresources.org or mail to 5835 W. Sunset Avenue, Springdale, Ark., 72762.

Here are directions to the chapel: Exit Hwy 71 at Lancashire. Follow signs to Mildred B. Cooper Chapel Proceed up the hill PAST Arvest Bank until you reach the Mercy Clinic/First Western Bank (on left). Turn Left on Memorial Drive (***Arrow Sign to Post Office and Chapel).

Howard S. Wright (’68, M.S. ’70)

Howard S. Wright, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away on April 18, 2020. He was born to the late Stephen and Ruth Wright on Oct. 31, 1933, in St. Louis, Mo. He graduated from Rice University with a degree in engineering and held an MBA from the University of Houston. While at Rice, he was a proud member of the Owls basketball team. He served in the U.S. Navy before beginning his career in the oil and gas business. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his sons, Steve Wright (Kathy), Andy Wright (Stefanie) and Jerry Wright (Elaine); and four grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers, David Wright and Skip Cochran (Jan); sisters, Jessie Wright (Walter DeLaney), and Stephanie Russell (Dave). There will be a graveside service at DeAnn Cemetery in Prescott, Ark., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Arkansas, Rice University or a charity of your choice. The online obituary, guestbook and memorial tribute are available at http://www.GrossFuneralHome.com. Howard S. Wright

Douglas Shields (’00)

Doug, former Slam Master of the Ozarks was the feature poet for Wednesday Night Poetry at Kollective Coffee+Tea. More…

Sajan Gautam (M.B.A. ’10)

Sajan Gautam is now Chief Information Security Officer at Arvest Bank in Fayetteville, AR.  More…