KISSIMMEE—Jim Oglesby, MD, is so well known in Central Florida circles, his patients affectionately call him “Dr. O.”

 

He’s recognized throughout the metro Orlando area as a theatrical performer, having appeared in leading roles, usually alongside his wife, Jeanie, in productions at the Osceola County Center for the Arts, such as “Brigadoon,” “Oklahoma,” “Sound of Music,” and “Fantastiks.” He garnered three Best Actor awards for lead roles in “Dracula,” “1776,” and “Man of La Mancha.” 

 

Photography buffs recognize his work, though he modestly retains amateur status. And civic leaders realize his contributions as president of the Osceola County Arts League for four years.

 

Yet Oglesby, 75, is even better known in athletic circles for achievements in the Florida Senior Games State Championships. He recently set new state records in shot-put, javelin, and discus in the 75-to-79 age group. Or more specifically, as Gary Dixon of Sarasota noted: “another M75 shot record for Dr. Oglesby.”

 

“His favorite and best event is the shot-put,” said Jeanie. “His distance of 13.08 meters in shot-put not only set a new state record, but broke the all-time American record, and is the longest throw of anyone in the world in men's outdoor shot-put (in his age group) for 2009.”

 

On Jan. 16, Oglesby entered a competition at the National Training Center and threw 13.19 meters, breaking his own American record. He is now the No. 4 all-time in world rankings.

 

Oglesby’s accomplishments are even more remarkable because he didn’t take field sports seriously until six years ago.

 

“My next immediate goal is to raise the American record and to raise my standing in all-time world rankings,” said Oglesby. “I feel that I’m still sort of a beginner. I’m learning to glide, I hope. So far I’ve been doing standing throws. So, if the Good Lord is willing, I’ll continue to progress a bit.”

 

Born just before Thanksgiving in 1934, the Georgia native is the middle of three sons born to Theodore, a school principal, and Ruth, an educator. He threw the shot-put one season in high school, when he was 16 and weighed 165 pounds. Then he moved on to pursue his first dream—of becoming an opera singer. After two years at the University of Georgia, he changed his major to pre-medicine and transferred to Mercer University, followed by medical school at the Medical College of Georgia. “But still no athletics,” noted a reporter who covers senior sports.

 

Having been in the Army Reserves since college ROTC, Oglesby finished his internship in Los Angeles and first-year surgical training in Chattanooga, Tenn., and went on active duty to Italy for three years. Returning to the United States, he completed another year of surgical training in Miami before moving on to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC, to wrap up his final three years of surgical residency.

 

Oglesby volunteered to go to Vietnam and spent a year there as a war surgeon and became commander of a M.A.S.H. unit. Following 1-year stints at Fort Ord and Fort Bragg, Oglesby chose to enter private practice in Kissimmee, becoming the first board-certified surgeon in Osceola County. (After commanding several Army Reserve medical units in Central Florida, accruing more than 40 years of total service, and achieving the rank of full colonel, Oglesby retired from active Army Reserve service.)

 

Oglesby served for nine years as chief of surgery and six years as chief of staff for Kissimmee Memorial Hospital, now known as Florida Hospital-Kissimmee. He helped organize the Osceola Emergency Services Council—serving as its first president—which later joined other councils nationwide to become the 911 system. Countywide, he acquired the first gastroscope, organized the hospital’s Emergency Room Department, and helped establish the first Outpatient Surgical Department.

 

For the past few years, his general practice work has focused on anti-aging medicine. “One could say that he practices what he preaches,” said Jeanie.

 

When he and his wife were raising their nine children, a small Christian academy where his son studied asked Oglesby to volunteer to coach throwing events. The school had only one salaried coach for all athletic programs.

 

“I got books and tapes and talked to other coaches and did the best I could for three years,” recalled Oglesby. “Coach left and the athletic program shut down. I lamented not being involved in the sport anymore. Then a friend in church suggested I do it myself in the senior games. I didn’t even know about them at that time!”

 

Oglesby has stayed in shape via a consistent weight training regimen. He jogged daily until 1989, when his knees began bothering him. In 2007, he set the state shot-put record at 42-6 in the 70-to-74 age group. His recent record-setting throw was 42-11.

 

“My best throw in competition was Polk County Senior Games in 2008 with 43-9 ½,” he said. “I was second in the 70-to-74 age group at the National Senior Games at 12.79 meters (41-11/12). My best bench press so far is 250 pounds for one rep.”

 

Tom Fahey, aka M62, called Oglesby’s performances remarkable.

 

“Most top masters’ athletes were at least reasonably successful as college athletes,” he said. “He had only one year of experience in high school and didn’t start competing again until age 70. His performances show that millions of Americans could take up our sport and potentially have some success.
There’s no reason that a country of our size should have less than 1,000 competitors in the masters nationals. Dr. Oglesby is an inspiration.”

 

Cynthia and Owen Todd described Oglesby as “one of the kindest, most gracious people we know.”

 

“We’ve both had the pleasure of appearing onstage with Jim, where his acting and singing talents are not only truly impressive, but if you’re not careful, you can easily find yourself upstaged,” said Owen Todd. “We’re not surprised by this latest success, since neither he nor his beautiful wife take on anything for which they’re not willing to give 100 percent.”

 

His family remains his No. 1 fan club. Roberta Oglesby McNamara called her dad “an inspiration to all of us.” His son, Jim Oglesby Jr., predicted getting the world record would be “no problem.” One of his dozen grandchildren, Anthony Oglesby, thinks of Gramps as “the bomb.” Even his daughter-in-law, Debbie Oglesby, followed his advice and toned up by strength training. “This is a great legacy for our family,” she said of his sports accomplishments. His daughter-in-law, Cindy Oglesby, summed it up nicely by calling him “truly an impressive man!"