A life of friends

While Justin Ogata was confined to his wheelchair, he never let it get in the way of him going places. He knew a little ingenuity, a strong will and a big smile could help get him where he wanted to go — and his friends and family loved that about him.

Those who knew Justin Ogata got together Sunday to celebrate his life at his funeral services at Waverly Chapel in Santa Ana. Ogata died April 25 from heart failure — he was 54.

Despite being paralyzed at 16 from a freak wrestling accident in 1969, Ogata, a Costa Mesa resident for the majority of his life, was constantly scheming ways to get out of the house and to enjoy his life, should it be a concert, a party or a ball game, friends said.

“He planned where he was going, who he was going to convince to take him, how he was going to convince his parents to let him go,” longtime friend Mike Coogan said. “He never gave up, never got down. He made life the best it could be.”

A full church of friends and family smiled as those who spoke told stories and said fond words about Ogata’s character, his wit, his smile — and not to forget, his love for the Dallas Cowboys.

“He approached everybody all over school,” said Gordon Stockton, who met Ogata at Costa Mesa High School. “It didn’t matter if you knew him for a long time or just met him. He had an affect on you.”

“I don’t think anyone that knew him didn’t have their life affected in some way,” Coogan said.

Stockton said Ogata took care of people even at a young age. He would look after the freshman and sophomore friends, and wrestling teammates, and constantly stood up for the little guy.

“When I was down in life, no matter what happened, I just needed a call from Justin,” Stockton said.

Ogata’s brother Alfred Ogata thanked everyone for coming and expressed his gratitude for the kind words about his brother who touched so many lives.

“How many families would really come together and take care of someone like this,” Stockton said of the Ogata family, which consists of Justin’s sister, Donna, brothers, John and Alfred, and mother, Kiyoko.

Stockton’s sons would always remind him to call Ogata, especially to give him a hard time about the Dallas Cowboys. Ogata was quick to make Stockton eat his words.

“If they had the lead at halftime,” he said, “Justin would call me.”

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at [email protected].