Arnold "Dave" David Ogren

Arnold David “Dave” Ogren, 82, of Asheville, NC, passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

Dave was born on January 21, 1943, in Rockford, IL, to Arnold and Mary Ogren.

He graduated from East High School in Rockford and began his career at Camcar in the 1960s before founding his own metal fabrication company, Ogren Industries, in 1968. Ogren Industries prospered for decades, launching his lifelong passion for entrepreneurship. A skilled machinist with a natural talent for mechanical engineering, Dave’s later career also included work as a real estate agent and broker, as well as several other business ventures.

Known for his eccentric personality and wonderfully dry sense of humor, Dave never met a stranger. He and his daughter created the once-famous smiley face field on Sweeten Creek Road in South Asheville. A self-taught wood turner, he crafted hundreds of wooden bowls from reclaimed wood found on his land.

Dave was deeply engaged in his community. He served as President of the Asheville Business Leaders Association and led a decades-long effort to clean up contaminated drinking water in the area.

He and Pam Ogren were married for 21 years, raising eight children together.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Arnie and Mary; his brother, Art (Carol); his son, Todd; his stepson, Tim; and his longtime companion, Linda Dockery. He is survived by his brothers, Carl (Nona) and Roger; his sister, Maureen (Joe); his children, Tyler, Tori (Frank), Tiffany (Jon), Ted, Tag (Megan), and Thad; and eight grandchildren
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As his final act of generosity, Dave donated his body to the UNC School of Medicine to serve as a “Silent Teacher,” advancing medical knowledge for the benefit of others. A private celebration of his life will be held for family and close friends in the new year.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charitable organization of your choice, or that an act of kindness be performed in Dave’s memory.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.