Roll Call Tribute

Ogden Loeb Bass, Jr. 

February 5, 1934 - November 23, 2024 

Ogden L. Bass, Jr. crossed the river to rest in the shade of the trees.

Born February 5, 1934 to Ogden Loeb and Annie Bass, Ogden (Poppa) passed away November 23, 2024. He accepted Jesus Christ at an early age at the First United Methodist Church and is now in the Land of Glory with a cigar in his hand.

Poppa was raised in Freeport, Texas and graduated from Brazosport High School in 1952. He was the first All State lineman and was awarded a football scholarship to attend Texas A&M College. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1956. After graduation, Poppa served in the US Army in the US First Infantry Division, Armored Cavalry and mustered out as a captain. Poppa then attended the University of Texas law school. During this time and after graduation, he served as an assistant Sergeant of Arms for the State Legislature, ran the elevator at the State Capital, was a briefing attorney for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and an Assistant Attorney General.

Poppa made it back to Brazoria County to stay. He served as an Assistant District Attorney for Brazoria County, elected as your District Attorney for four terms then elected for three terms as the Judge of the 300th District Court of Brazoria County. After his retirement in 1998, Poppa continued to serve the citizens of Brazoria County as a Visiting Judge, often without pay.

Throughout his life, Poppa always had his beloved ''Nan Gayle'' (Nan Gayle Chambers Bass of Velasco) by his side. High School sweethearts, they were married for 70 years during which they raised five children who are all graduates of Brazosport High School. Their love for each other was evidenced by their daily constant devotion in all aspects of their lives.

Poppa had a strong spirit of volunteerism for his community. His involvement in numerous organizations included the Freeport Recreation Association serving as a coach and board member, The Junior Achievement League, a founding member of The Boys Club (now the Boys and Girls Club), various positions of leadership of his church (including teaching Sunday School), member of the BISD School Board, Freeport Little League, Brazoria County Peace Officers Association, Texas A&M Century Club (Endowed Member), Fellow Judge for the State Bar of Texas, Brazoria County Bar Association, Texas Bar Association, and National District Attorney Association.

Poppa was recognized for his service by the State of Texas House of Representatives with House Resolution #636 signed by Pete Lany (the last Democratic Speaker of the House) and was honored by Brazosport ISD when he was added to the BISD Wall of Fame in 2013.

Poppa was the ultimate family man as evidenced through the many years of coaching his children in baseball, softball, and volleyball, instilling in them a strong work ethic through yard work (his true passion) and holding court in the garage. He taught his children many important principles which have guided their lives…''A Bass never quits.'', ''Any job is a job worth doing well.'', ''At the end of the day, all you have is your good name.'' and ''A good man covers the ground he stands on.''

Poppa said what he meant and meant what he said. He was a believer in truth, justice, and mercy. This giant of a man will be missed, but always remembered.

Poppa is survived by his loving wife, Nan Gayle Bass, son Ogden L. Bass, III ''Bo'' (Nicole), daughter Gayle Derbonne (Skip), son Brooks Bass (Stephanie), son Mike Bass (Irma), and daughter Melissa Lawson (Levi). He will be greatly missed by his 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers:
Joe Ortiz, Patton Ritter, Judge Pat Sebesta, Lon Siddall, Paul Stallberg, and Billy Terry

Honorary Pallbearers:
Jimmy Phillips, Jr, Senator J. E. ''Buster'' Brown, Michael Phillips, James ''Jim'' Bradford, Shannon Tigner, Dale Summa, Sheriff Maurice Cook, Wallace Shaw, Mark Davis, Dr. Harvey Resnick, Tim Brown, Leroy Bieri, Kim Richardson , John Gilbert, Jack Langdon, Sagness ''Tra'' Girouard, Robin Rape, Marshall Bubba Rape, Judge Ben Hardin, Sheriff Charles Wagner, and Keith Holder

Poppa's service will be Monday, December 2, 2024, 1pm at First Methodist Church Freeport located at 1600 W Broad Freeport, TX 77551, with Preacher Andy Dill officiating. Any memorials may be sent to Poppa's lifelong church home.

We are grateful for the kind help of Freeport-Lakewood Funeral Home for their attention to detail.