WILMINGTON — Frank McDonald Ogden, Jr. passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, at Trinity Grove Nursing Home, in Wilmington, North Carolina surrounded by family. He was born on March 3, 1943, in Warren, Ohio, the first child of Frank M. Ogden, Sr. and Ruth Pealer Ogden.
Frank is lovingly remembered by his wife, Carol Milam; his son, Scott Ogden; daughter-in-law, Lara Berkley; grandson, Calvin M. Ogden; sister, Judith Lee Kushnier; brother, Rik (Richard) William Ogden; and stepmother, Sue (Wohld) Ogden.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio in June 1965 and later completed a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from Kent State University in August 1970. His academic background laid the foundation for a long and impactful career in social work and staff development.
Frank’s legacy is his dedication to working with children. He spent over 18 years working with the Department of Youth Services for the State of Ohio supporting young people. Later, while managing the children’s department at a Barnes & Noble location in the Boston area, he delighted toddlers and early readers by dressing up as Bob the Builder and other cartoon characters and leading story time.
After retiring in 2005, Frank continued his commitment to children by volunteering as a classroom tutor at College Park Elementary School for kindergarten students for over a decade. His efforts touched the lives of more than 180 children who affectionately knew him as “Mr. Frank.” He took great care to track each child’s progress–knowing which core words they had mastered and how far they could count toward 100.
Frank enjoyed reading a good mystery, playing a round of golf with friends, and watching film noir and westerns movies—not all at once! A passionate baseball aficionado and devoted Red Sox fan, he took regional pilgrimages with his brother to visit nearly every Major League Baseball park. A massive fan of The Ohio State University, he acquired numerous hats, shirts and coats bearing the scarlet and gray block “O.”
In addition to Frank’s perpetual smile and a ready laugh, another way he expressed “being Frank” was sporting a novelty sock collection and T-shirts that reflected his political views on equality and gun violence. His beliefs were not just worn but also lived: he was an active member of Wilmington Faiths Against Gun Violence and he made five Mission Trips to Honduras and the Dominican Republic—the last to build a playground for children.
Frank was a member of Trinity Church in the City of Boston before joining Church of the Servant – Episcopal in Wilmington, North Carolina. There, he coordinated the College Park Elementary School tutoring program and served faithfully as a eucharistic minister and Stephen Minister. He also served on the vestry, outreach committee, and a priest search committee.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Trinity Grove Nursing Home and Lower Cape Fear Hospice for their compassionate care during Frank’s final days.
A memorial service celebrating Frank’s life will be held on February 7, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Church of the Servant-Episcopal located at 4925 Oriole Drive, Wilmington, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made for the library at College Park Elementary School (check written directly to College Park Elementary with notation of the purpose) or to Black Lives Matter—causes close to Frank’s heart.
