Lasting Memories

Kelly Ogle
1932-June 6, 2008
Menlo Park, California

Kelly Ogle of Menlo Park, an attorney and former member of the San Mateo County District Attorney's office, died June 6, 2008, in Palo Alto after a short illness with cancer. He was 76.

Mr. Ogle, a 48-year resident of Menlo Park, was widely known in the community. After moving to Sharon Heights in 1960, he became involved in civic affairs. He served as chairman of the Menlo Park Transportation Commission and ran for a seat on the City Council. He was the fourth president of the Sharon Heights Homeowners' Association and an active member of the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce.

Born in Chico, Mr. Ogle attended schools in Sacramento. He graduated from the University of Santa Clara in 1954, where he also earned his law degree. He met his wife, Fran, while he was attending the University of Santa Clara and she was a student at Dominican College in San Rafael. They were married in 1957.

Mr. Ogle served as an officer in the U.S. Army, and was assigned to an artillery unit. He then transferred to the Judge Advocate General unit.

After the service he practiced law in San Francisco and was a partner in the law offices of Keil & Connolly, where he was responsible for drafting many of the leases for the large parking garages in the city and at Candlestick Park and the Oakland Coliseum. From 1970 to 1983 he was a member of the staff of the San Mateo County District Attorney's office, prosecuting criminal cases.

In 1983 he joined the law firm of George Eshoo. In 1988 he opened his own office in Redwood City. During his law career, he served in the private defender program, and as a judge pro tem, a special master and an arbitrator.Mr. Ogle was a private pilot, first learning to fly when he was 17.

Although a native of California, Mr. Ogle was the quintessential Irishman. He looked the part with silver hair and ruddy complexion. He had a fine tenor voice and loved to sing, taking part in amateur productions put on by the Barristers in San Francisco and the Peninsula Volunteers at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton. He was gifted with the Irish way with words, and an outgoing personality. As one friend said, "The party started when Kelly arrived."

The Ogles enjoyed entertaining, with Mr. Ogle presiding over the barbecue grill. When he barbecued chicken for 30 neighbors for a Fourth of July block party, his recipe for "Firecracker Chicken" appeared in the July 2, 2003, issue of The Almanac.

Mr. Ogle is survived by his wife of 51 years, Fran; three children, Mike of Salt Lake City, Kathy Dowling of Fremont, and Maureen Ortiz of San Mateo; and seven grandchildren.