Benevolence is Cool
By Henry Piarrot
"I ain't no
saint, but I've tried never to do anything that would hurt my family or offend God...I figure all any kid needs is hope and the feeling he or she belongs. If I could do or say anything that would give some kid that feeling, I would believe I had contributed something to the world." - Elvis Presley
The first settlers of Gatlinburg came to the area from South Carolina, carrying the family name of Oglesby, which was later shortened to Ogle. Consequently, a century and a half later, the story of Fred and Stella Ogle is as American as the Little Pigeon River and majestic white oak trees that defined their Smoky Mountain home.
Tragically, the young couple lost their first born, Frank, as a small child. However, Harold, born in 1941 wholly assumed the role as eldest when he welcomed his younger identical twin brothers, Ray and Glenn to the family in 1947.Independent by nature, once returning from WWII, Fred earned a living as an electrician and plumber, while Stella helped make ends meet by weaving decorative nylon bags at home. For the Ogle boys, growing up in the care of their strict and protective
parents, would be a priceless gift wrapped with honesty and love.
Sadly, the brothers lost their mother in 1998 to a deadly stroke, and then became middle-aged orphans when they told their father goodbye after he lost a desperate battle with
cancer two years later. Nevertheless, the effect of their benevolent parents’ influence would not be replaced by their grief. Especially in the case of Ray, who extends and enhances his parents’ legacy with leadership, compassion and charity.
Today, Ray Ogle is the general manager of The Music Road Hotel in Pigeon Forge. Since it’s opening in 1996, Ogle is the only general manager the award winning and nationally recognized property has ever had. His is not simply a story about how to run an excellent business, it is a story about how to live an exceptional life.
A graduate of Gatlinburg’s Pittman High School in 1966, Ogle did not finish college. He learned his profession by studying closely the actions of the most successful people who did what he wanted to do. As a result, he learned from the best.The most recent former president of
The Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association, Ogle takes little personal credit for the success of his storied property - that he saves for his staff and crew. “
When you surround yourself with excellent people, good things happen.” He said.
As pleased as the GM is with his professional accomplishments, he is most proud of the work he does for the benefit of children and those desperately fighting the war against cancer. After losing his father and Brenda Walters “
the best housekeeper The Music Road ever had” to the disease, his leadership facilitated the creation of the annual
Relay For Life for the American Cancer Society. He and his crew have raised thousands of dollars to help fund the research needed to one day relegate cancer to the same status of yellow fever and polio.
Yet, his first love, next to Judy, his wife of over 30 years, is his participation in the Pigeon Forge Rotary Club. Rotary International is a worldwide organization of professional leaders that provide humanitarian service to almost anyone in need. The Pigeon Forge Chapter mainly supports the efforts of the area’s
Boys’ & Girls’ Club. The Rotarian motto is “
Service Above Self.”
Unfortunately, I did not move to East Tennessee in time to know Fred or Stella Ogle personally. Nevertheless, I know they must have been a remarkable couple. That is because it is quite obvious that they instilled in their son that benevolence is cool and mediocrity is something other peoples’ children have to live with.
Henry Piarrot is a hotel manager in Sevier County, TN.Please send all story recommendations to hpiarrot@yahoo.com.