A native of Georgia, Oglesby was minister of music and education for churches in Tennessee, Georgia, Missouri and Texas. He served in a similar capacity at First Southern Baptist Church in Chula Vista, where he was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1960.

Oglesby began work with The Southern Baptist General Convention of California (now CSBC) as business manager in September 1963; he served 22 years in the post. At the time of his retirement in January 1986 the title had changed to director of business services.

"David was at all times, a gentleman," noted Dennis Schmierer, CSBC business services group leader. "He approached his work with a deep sense of ministry."

Schmierer, who succeeded Oglesby as director of the Convention's business operations, said, "It was a blessing to be able to follow David in this position.  He had established procedures and policies that made my transition very easy."

In February 1966, Oglesby was elected assistant executive secretary-treasurer of California Baptist Foundation, where he was asked to serve as interim executive secretary-treasurer upon the resignation of the Foundation's director. He held the post until January 1967.

"I had the opportunity in my role as associate executive director with the Convention to work closely with David in budget preparation, and have a deep respect for his ability and his commitment, not only to the position he held with the Convention, but also to his Lord," noted Wendell Foss.

"David's basic motivation was spiritual, not administrative. He was excellent in his job, but I always felt I was in the presence of a deeply spiritual man when we were together.

"He was truly a blessing to my life," Foss continued, "and I will miss him very much."

A U.S. Navy sailor in World War II, Oglesby earned a bachelor's degree from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN in 1951. He earned a master of religious education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth in 1954.

Oglesby received the CSBC Heritage Award in 2004. The award is presented annually by the California Baptist Historical Society in recognition of "outstanding contributions to the ministry and heritage of California Southern Baptists."

He and his wife, Jo, were long-time members of Trinity Southern Baptist Church in Fresno, where a memorial service was held Aug. 4.

Oglesby is survived by one son, one daughter and six grandchildren; he was preceded in death by his wife in April 2004.