A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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Police have recovered the body from the Willamette River of a missing local man who committed suicide.
Jason R. Ogan, 32, of Gresham was reported missing by his mother on Tuesday, June 17. He’d last been seen at about 11:30 p.m. Monday, June 16, at his parent’s southwest Gresham home where he lived. On Tuesday morning police towed his abandoned Ford Escort from the Marquam Bridge in Portland. His wallet also was found in Scappoose minus his driver’s license and a credit card.
Ogan, a talented musician, suffered from depression and other mental illnesses but stopped taking his medicine, his family told police.
Multnomah County River Patrol discovered Ogan’s body at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, in the Willamette River not far from the bridge where his car was found, said Deputy Travis Gullberg, sheriff’s office spokesman.
The medical examiner ruled Ogan’s death a suicide and suspects Ogan’s wallet floated downstream, where it was found in Scappoose, Gullberg said.
Ogan graduated from Centennial High School in 1994 and was director of choirs at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham. He graduated from Portland State University in 1998 and earned his master’s degree in music from the University of Houston, where he also sang with the Houston Grand Opera.
In 2004, he returned home to Gresham and co-founded the Oregon Lyric Opera with the hope of bringing music theater and opera to East Multnomah County.
His professional credits also include Chautauqua Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, the Seattle Symphony and the Oregon Symphony.
A service of remembrance will be at 1 p.m. Friday, June 27, at Greater Gresham Baptist Church, 3848 N.E. Division St.
Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Also, friends and family can log on to www.mem.com to share memories and sign an online guestbook. Memorial contributions can be made at any branch of MBank in the name of Jason Ogan.
I'm so saddened to hear this. I'd never met him before until we both applied for the vacant city council position last year. I had the chance to speak with him for a period before the meeting, and I was impressed with his musical background.
My thoughts and prayers are also with his family.
(email verified)
Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 11:29 PM
It is not only a huge loss for his family but for the community as well. We can't even begin to express our sadness over the loss of Jason Ogan. We sang for Jason at MHCC and sang with him at PSU. We toured in choirs with him and just recently we made a Christmas album with him. He sang and played Piano on our CD. Jason had an incredible passion for the arts and truly loved to make music. Our prayers are with his family.
Dustin & Andrea Rose
(email verified)
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 08:49 AM
I am so sad to hear about Jason. It has been many years since I have seen him, but as a young child he was my best friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
(email verified)
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 10:14 AM
We first met Jason when he was in a Christian singing group called First Light. Our son and daughter-in-law sang in that same group. We did not know Jason well, but he had such a wonderful voice as a soloist and added greatly to the group as a whole. It is hard to believe that someone so young and talented could leave the world so soon. Our hearts ache for his family as they grieve this tremendous loss.
Tim and Diane West
(email verified)
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 11:04 AM
JR and I were close friends for nearly 20 years. Little league, grade school, high school, we were even college roommates. I love JR. He was there for me good times and bad, you are missed. Prayers to the Ogan family and all who were lucky enough to know him.
(email verified)
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 09:30 PM
JR and I shared a common love of the arts during our high school years. We were a constant bunch of musical theater loving young men. I have so many fond memories with him and all of the boyhood mischeif we caused. I sorely miss JR and i have been thinking of him constantly since. I love you JR, rest easy old friend.
Tomorrow we'll discover
What our God in Heaven has in store!
One more dawn
One more day
One day more!
(email verified)
Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 12:58 AM
I have fond thoughts of JR growing up - lots of wiffle ball and Major League. We stayed connected over the years and he even gave me voice lessons after college. He was a wonderful person who I will never forget him. I wish his family peace and comfort during this time. We are praying and thinking about you.
(email verified)
Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 09:00 PM
I remember J.R. so well when he was growing up. He was a best friend to both of my sons. Watching them play baseball together ... J.R., the catcher, my son, John, the pitcher. Jim always playing first base. But he was more than a playmate. When my wife was ill and subsequently passed away, J.R. was beyond his years in how he cared and how he reached out to give us all strength. His energy, his enthusiasm and his willingness to care made him special. His role in our lives was a blessing that we will always remember. We will continue to remember Jason's family in our prayers and will always be grateful that we had the opportunity in our lives to be touched by Jason.
(email verified)
Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Growing up just down the street I have so many wonderful memories of JR. He was always such a good friend and so very talented. My entire family's prayers are with his family. He will be greatly missed.
(email verified)
Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 11:20 AM
I didn't know Jason. But by all accounts, he was outgoing, well rounded and a good friend . It reminds us all of how real mental illness is and how important it is for their to be better access to care and more research to better its treatments.
(email verified)
Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 02:57 PM
I am so saddened to read of Jason's death. I remember him from my days at PSU while studying my masters. He was an undergraduate and showed so much promise. I was impressed with his enthusiasm, intelligence and good voice. He was a leader and set a fine example for his fellow students. I remember him taking charge on our trip to Europe with the Chamber Choir. What a sad loss for his family and students.
Irene Weldon
(email verified)
Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 04:09 PM
What a loss of a talented, passionate, amiable, likeable guy. I went to college with Jason and knew him through mutual friends and our crossing musical paths, and it's still stunning to me that he's gone. He already accomplished so much, and had much more to give the world and our community.
(email verified)
Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 05:18 PM
I was very sad to hear the news about Jason over the weekend. I hadn't seen him in about 15 years, but I knew him to be an extraordinarily talented individual with a big heart. Best wishes to his family who are first-rate people. I am truly glad to have known Jason.
(email verified)
Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 07:48 PM
I remember first meeting JR when he came to our school in 4th grade, and will retain those memories for the rest of my life. We went through grade, middle and high school together, and though we have drifted apart over the last few years, whenever I think of him it brings a big smile to my face. He will be sorely missed. Rest well, old friend...
(email verified)
Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 12:51 PM
just hours before I received the news of Jason's death, I was speaking of him, recalling the recital we gave together in Chautauqua - his intense commitment to the songs, his search for the truth in the music and text, his palpable delight in discovery, the whole-hearted support he gave his recital partner, and the enthusiastic, visibly-moved response he called forth from his audience in the performance...cherished memories of a gifted young man...bless you, Jason, you gave much to those who had the privilege of knowing you, and we will miss you sorely...
(email verified)
Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 02:08 PM
I am deeply saddened by the death of Jason. In high school we were all together at a very special time, at time that almost seems the stars were aligned and all was right with the world. We were more than a drama club and a choir, we were a Family with a common bond of our love for music and theatre arts. My heart goes out to his family.
We all love you, JR, and we will miss you terribly.
(email verified)
Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 02:20 PM
I had the privilege of working with Jason in many capacities...touring with Chamber Choir at PSU, working together as music ministers at West Portland United Methodist, accompanying auditions for OTO, etc, etc, etc. Our paths have crossed many times over my life, and I am SO sad to know that they won't cross again here on earth. You will be GREATLY missed Jason, and I hope you realize how loved and missed you are!!
(email verified)
Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 09:14 PM
JR & I were closest of friends when I lived in Gresham, and I will always cherish the memories of those years. It was third or fourth grade when he introduced himself to my brother and I as we were out playing. The number of backyard baseball games, little league games, and cul-de-sac baseball games to follow would number in the thousands.
JR was big-hearted, outgoing and talented. He could always cheer me up.
(email verified)
Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 08:17 PM
I just got word of this today. Jason lived in our Houston home for a year while getting his masters in voice at UH, and then lived next door the year after graduating. We stayed in touch from time to time after he moved back to Oregon. It has been months since the last time we heard from him, when he sounded more happy and settled than in the previous couple of years.
I am just heart broken about Jason's struggles and about his tragic passing at so young an age. My partner Tom and I were so very fond of Jason and loved hearing him sing around our house! He and his friends would often sit at our piano and unwind by singing musical theater. He had a few parties with other opera singers in our home and entertained us greatly as everyone took turns singing arias that were out of their vocal ranges and other silly antics. We were delighted by Jason's talent and impressive performances as the lead man in many of the UH operas...he was a gifted actor as well as having a beautiful tenor voice. We remember him as a vibrant, imaginative, passionate young man with an artist's soul and great talent. We thought of him as a friend and were always interested in hearing about his life developments. We will miss him!
We never met Jason's parents, but would love to give them our most heart-felt sympathy and tell them more of our fond memories.
(email verified)
Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 08:56 PM
We would talk on the phone our Freshman year in high school until 2am or until one of us fell asleep or started to drift off. Drama class was fun, your passion was for drama and the opera. Hadn't seen you since HS, still thought of you though. My you sing for all eternity...
Thoughts and prayers are with the Ogan family.
(email verified)
Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 08:53 AM
I hadn't seen or spoken to JR in 15 years but I have fond memories from high school. He was fun loving and will be missed.
My heart goes out to the family, I can relate and my sincerest sympathies go out to you in this greiving time.
May God be with you.
(email verified)
Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 09:38 AM
With all the good that has been posted about him, he was still a very selfish person to have done this to his family and friends. There are other ways to deal with ones depression. Too bad such an intelligent person didn't seek that out. We had a family member who made the same decision and we will all have to live with wondering why for the rest of our days. It is such a waste and so sad for all of us who remain. God help this family.
(email verified)
Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Our family grew to know the Ogan family not through music or baseball but by another talent JR had, ice hockey. He started playing hockey and before anyone knew what happened he was the goalie, and a darn good one! Frequent trips to Canada, getting to know the entire Ogan family, having Jason spend the weekend with our son Roman are the fondest memories. Didn't know he could sing till he broke out a marvelous rendition of Canada Oh Canada from the back seat of the car on a road trip. Our family misses those days and will certainly miss Jason. Teri, Randy, and Traci, our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
(email verified)
Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 07:08 PM
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Re: Despair leads to death of music man
I never personally met Mr. Ogan. However, I attended the Gresham City Council meeting when he interviewed for the vacant city council position. He was one of many qualified candidates, but he gave a good account of his desire and experience for the position when answering the interview questions. It takes real courage to interview for a position in public, and Mr. Ogan gave a fine performance.
My prayers go out to his family.
"Robert Canfield"
(email verified)
Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 08:29 PM