Jay Max Ogden

Richfield, Utah - Jay Max Ogden, husband, father, grandfather, outdoorsman, accomplished taxidermist, and loyal friend, passed away on January 10, 2025, in Salt Lake City. He was born December 8, 1952 to Mae Beth Hawley Ogden and Max G. Ogden. He was the second of five children. From an early age, he developed a deep love for animals, the challenge of a hunt, and a strong work ethic shaped by countless hours laboring on his family’s farm.

Jay graduated from Richfield High School in 1971, where he excelled academically and proudly played on the RHS football team. His artistic abilities were evident even then, as he designed backdrops and props for school plays, yet his truest passion was always the outdoors. In his later high school years, he devoted himself fully to pursuing the birds and wildlife of Sevier County—an early reflection of the life he would come to lead.

In 1974, Jay met his best friend and the love of his life, Camille Curtis. They were married on February 5, 1977 and later sealed in the Manti Temple on September 12, 1980. Together, they had three children; Shan, Jill, and Ashlee. Throughout their 49 years, they built a beautiful life together, filled with treasured memories made while camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and tending their garden side by side.

What began as a childhood hobby grew into Ogden Taxidermy, a world-renowned business built on Jay’s extraordinary skill and unwavering dedication to excellence. Creating lifelike, meticulously detailed mounts was never just work—it was his joy. One of his greatest pleasures was welcoming his son, Shan, home from college to partner in the family business. Teaching him the craft and working together each day brought Jay immense joy. Through his work, Jay formed lifelong friendships near and far, earning admiration for his humility, integrity, and charm. “The shop” became a gathering place where friends and family came for Jay’s wise advice, a friendly chat, and a good cup of coffee.

A true outdoorsman, Jay found peace and purpose in the remote deserts and rugged, untouched landscapes of Southern Utah, where he pursued mule deer and bighorn sheep. He especially loved tracking deer, studying their habits, and solving the intricate puzzle of their patterns. Generous with his knowledge, he delighted in helping family and close friends on their hunts. With an extraordinary sense of direction and memory, Jay could return decades later to places he had once explored and find them again with ease. Among his many accomplishments, he was humbly proud to have harvested all four species of North American wild sheep, earning his prestigious Full Curl Award in 2019.

Jay was eager to share his talents in building and craftsmanship, lending his skill to help each of his children add meaningful details to their homes—from rock walls to fireplaces. A perfectionist in all he did, whether gardening, building, or even signing his name, Jay approached every task with care and precision. He was a supporter of his grandchildren, faithfully cheering them on from the stands and eagerly asking about their games, rodeos, and competitions as they discovered and developed their own talents.

To all who knew him, Jay was a pillar of strength, love, light, and life. He taught his children and grandchildren the value of determination, hard work, and giving their all in every circumstance. His pride in his posterity is deeply felt, inspiring them to believe they can climb any mountain. The outdoors, so dear to Jay, will forever be a place of peace and connection for those he loved. Until his final moments, he embodied the belief that life’s chances are worth taking and that no single breath should ever be taken for granted. Jay Ogden was a once in a lifetime example to all, and his legacy will live on in the lives he touched and the values he passed down.

Jay is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and little sister (Terrie Lee). 

He is survived by his loving wife, Camille, children Shan (Josie) Ogden, Jill (Jody) Brown, Ashlee (Kennedy) Larsen, 10 grandchildren, and his siblings Andrea (Robert) Stratton, Patrice (Greg) Bean, Graig (Gina) Ogden.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at the Richfield East Stake Center, 800 North 500 East, Richfield, Utah. Viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Friday, January 16, 2026 at the Springer Turner Funeral Home and from 9:30-11:00 at the stake center the morning of the services.

Livestreaming of Jay’s services will be available at springerturner.com under his obituary 15 minutes before services start.

Burial will be in the Richfield Cemetery under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina.