Sergeant First Class Alexander Oge, United States Army, Ret.

Alexander Oge was born on March 7, 1928 in Ville Platte, Louisiana and passed away on December 16, 2010, at the age of 82, in a Temple, Texas hospital.

Alexander proudly served his country in the United States Army, and retired in 1969, at the rank of Sergeant First Class, having served more than 22 years, including service during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

He was an active member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. He was a past commander of American Legion Post No. 573.

Alexander was a member of the Rod and Gun Clubs of Furth/Nuremberg, Germany and Fort Hood, Texas. He enjoyed fishing and gardening, loved good music and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.

Funeral services were held on December 21, 2010 at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders, who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the arriving family and friends. The Riders then led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen for interment with full military honors.

Waiting at the cemetery were more Riders and fifty American flags lining the roadway at the committal shelter. Alexander’s flag draped casket was removed from the hearse and carried into the shelter by an Army Honor Guard. The Riders then enveloped the shelter with a line of waving American flags.

The Army rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The American flag that covered the casket was folded into the traditional triangle, and presented to the family on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful country, in thanks for Alexander’s many years of dedicated service.

Sergeant First Class Alexander Oge was then laid to rest on the gentle sloping plain of the cemetery, as the American flag flew at half-staff in his honor at the top of the hill.

Left to cherish his memory are three sons, two daughters, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Temple Daily News for biographical information and to Amanda McCurdy Carter for additional photographs.