Bobby Ogle

Bobby “Max” Ogle was called home to be with the Lord on March 26, 2014, after a difficult battle with bone cancer that began in April 2013. He was born June 8, 1934, in Sevierville, Tenn.

Max met the love of his life, Eula Lindsey, on Christmas Day 1952. Eula is the daughter of the late Roy and Muriel Lindsey, of Columbia Falls. Max and Eula were married the following Christmas and just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Christmas, 2013.

Max was raised in a Christian home by Cleophas and Jessie Ogle, who are both deceased. Cleophas was a carpenter and the music director of the Roaring Fork Baptist Church in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Max was baptized in the Roaring Fork Creek at age 13. He became a carpenter helping his father and brother, learning the skills to build homes.

Once married, Max and Eula moved to Columbia Falls, where over the years Max built several homes for his family. He also helped family members and friends build homes of their own. He started working at the Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant on Feb. 22,1956, working his way up to pot line superintendent and retiring on July 26, 1989, after 33 years of service.

Max was recently recognized for collecting can tabs for the Iguana Club, which donates the money for a Ronald McDonald Family Room in Kalispell to serve cancer victims and their families. He worked at this for more than 18 years and last year gathered 11 gallons of can tabs. “That is quite a commitment, but that’s the kind of man Max was, always looking for ways to help others.” He often offered his time and talent in service projects to help his community.

Max enjoyed church, whistling and singing old hymns, camping, hunting, fishing and sharing his adventures. He loved spending quality time with his family and would do anything for them. After retirement, he enjoyed sitting outside his home on the North Fork Road. People would honk and wave at him. He was always happy to wave back.

He also had a fun job of taking care of his animal friends that visited his home — squirrels and their babies, deer, turkeys, birds, bears and an amazing number of hummingbirds. Then for the last 18 winters, Max and Eula would head to Yuma, Ariz., to be in the sunshine with dear friends and family.

Max is survived by his wife Eula, of Columbia Falls; one brother OH and wife Anne, and two sisters, Betty Jinks and Peggy Watson and husband Clellon, all on the family homestead in Gatlinburg; two daughters, Kathy Brunett and husband Bill, of Columbia Falls, and Karla Stratton and husband Mike, of Spring Hill, Tenn.; two brothers-in-law, Carroll Lindsey and wife Virginia, of Columbia Falls, and Leroy Lindsey, of Columbia Falls; four granddaughters, Amy McCubbins and husband Pat, of Goodyear, Ariz., Kristy Corbett and husband Scott, of Kalispell, Rachel Stratton, of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Lauren Stratton, of Johnson City, Tenn.; five great grandchildren, Cameron, Skyler and Christian McCubbins, of Goodyear, Ariz., and Easton and McKenzie Corbett, of Kalispell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff who cared for Max, the Kalispell Regional Medical Center Infusion Center staff and volunteers, and Home Options Hospice staff.

“We especially would like to recognize the Hospice staff and volunteers for the wonderful, compassionate loving care they provided during this challenging time, not only to Max but to his entire family. Home Options Hospice staff has become an amazing part of our family, and we appreciate their prayers and friendships. Of course, to all the family and friends that called or came to visit, brought food, prayed, supported and loved Max and our family, we pray God’s blessings upon you all. We are very thankful for each and every one of you.”

A celebration of Max’s life will be held at North Valley Baptist Church, 1750 Talbott Road, in Columbia Falls, on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at 10 a.m.

In memory of Max and in lieu of flowers, he asked that donations be made locally through the Kalispell Regional Medical Center for Home Options Hospice, or the Ronald McDonald Family Room through Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation, 310 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell MT 59901.