Memorials › Ava Arlene Cooper Bogard
Ava Arlene Cooper Bogard
20 Jul 1923 – 4 Apr 2017
| Birth | 20 Jul 1923 |
| Death | 4 Apr 2017 |
| Cemetery | Masonic Cemetery Las Cruces , Doña Ana County , New Mexico , USA |
| Added by | Kenneth D. Bogard on 11 Apr 2017 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178326176 |
Bio
Arlene was born in tiny Lockney, Texas, and grew up in the west-Texas panhandle with her mom, dad and one sister. In high school she moved to Portales, New Mexico, where she graduated from high school. With the Great Depression just having ended, times were still difficult in dusty, hardscrabble Portales, so in early 1941 Arlene found a job taking tickets at the Yam Theater. One beautiful fall night while she was sitting behind the ticket booth, a handsome young teacher named Ira "Bogie" Bogard walked up to buy a movie ticket. Immediately, this green-eyed beauty with auburn hair and a beautiful smile captivated his heart. Only God could know this chance meeting would lead to 70 years of love and devotion. Ira asked to drive her home that evening after work, and as he left her at the door she whispered to herself, "That's the man I'm going to marry if I can. And I think I can!" As he walked back to his boarding house that night, he told his best friend the same. Six weeks into their whirlwind romance and only a few days before Bogie was scheduled to ship out to the Coast Guard, they were married. What some people thought would never last, ended up being a match made in heaven. After basic training Bogie was stationed in Puerto Rico. Because they were inseparable, Arlene had to find a way to be together. She followed Bogie to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, to be closer to him and occasionally see him on leave. The two then moved to New London, Connecticut, where Bogie entered OTS (Officer Training School). During training, he was seriously injured and was eventually discharged. The pair returned to Portales in 1944 where they lived for 30 years. In '45 their daughter, Dusty, was born, and in '48 they had a son, Craig. While Ira taught high school, Arlene was a wonderful stay-at-home mother to her two children. As her kids got older, Arlene attended ENMU in Portales and received her Bachelors degree in education. For 11 years she taught at James Elementary School in Portales, the quintessential teacher who helped positively shape the lives of little ones. In 1975, Arlene and Bogie moved to Ruidoso where she continued for 10 years to be that teacher that everyone loved! In 1985, Arlene and Bogie retired to Las Cruces where they lived in their home until their deaths – Arlene's at the age of 93 this past Tuesday afternoon, April 4, 2017. Arlene and Bogie made many friends while living in Las Cruces, a good deal of them from their church, New Covenant Fellowship. Arlene's faith in Christ Jesus was always the guiding star in her life. It was what made her everything she was – a devoted wife, the best mother in the world, a teacher par excellence and a dear and faithful friend to so many. She loved to read, and one of her favorite writings was The Chronicles of Narnia by renowned British author, C.S. Lewis. Her favorite character besides Aslan, the great Lion of Narnia, was Reepicheep the mouse. The courageous little mouse exemplified Arlene's firm conviction that, with God's help, you could overcome almost any obstacle. This belief kept her steady through many trials, including her daughter contracting polio at the age of 7 and the eventual death of her son-in-law and two of her grandsons. It took quite a toll on Arlene when she lost Bogie back in 2012. Seventy years is a long, long time to be married to someone, and her heart never recovered from losing him. At least some of the pain of losing Bogie was assuaged over the past 5 years by her wonderful caregivers – most recently, Cecilia, Sonia, Crystal and Julie. Through their loving care, all their lives were deeply touched by "Mrs. Bogard" just as Arlene was deeply touched by their love and commitment to her. Arlene made a lasting impact in this world and will be missed greatly by so many. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Ira Allen "Bogie" Bogard; her father & mother Arleigh & Laura Cooper; her sister, Wilma Fort and her husband, Buddy; her niece, Tamara Good; her son-in-law, Bill Neergaard; and, her grandsons, Daniél & Dustin Bogard. She is survived by her daughter, Dusty Allen Neergaard, and her son, Steven Craig Bogard and his wife Lynn Ann; her grandson, Shane Neergaard, his wife Susan & their daughter Maya (Arlene's great granddaughter); her grandsons Christian Neergaard & Tim Squibb; and her niece, Penny McElroy & her husband, Sonny. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 13 at New Covenant Fellowship Church, 5005 S. Main St., Mesilla Park, with the viewing from 6 – 8 PM on Wednesday evening at La Paz Grahams Funeral Home, 555 W. Amador Ave., Las Cruces. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Arlene to Aslan Youth ministries, P.O. Box 270, Red Bank, NJ 07701 or online at www.aslanyouth.org To send condolences go to www.lapaz-grahams.com Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on Apr. 11, 2017
Photos
Family
Parents
Spouse
Siblings
Export GEDCOM
This person only · Entire connected family