Odie O. Phelps
March 3, 1950 - July 12, 2026
Odie O. Phelps, a loving, funny, and generous man, passed away on July 12, 2026, in Lawton, Oklahoma, at the age of 76.
He was born on March 3, 1950, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to the late Marion Russell Phelps and Wanda Beth Baster. Odie carried the values of hard work, loyalty, and devotion throughout his life, and he will be remembered by all who knew him for the warmth of his spirit and the steady kindness he showed to family, friends, and neighbors alike.
Odie was a proud Vietnam Veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, and a member of the U.S. Airborne. His service to his country reflected his courage and commitment, and those who served alongside him and knew him through his military life respected him deeply. The discipline and resilience he developed during those years remained with him throughout his life and shaped the way he met every challenge.
Following his military service, Odie built a life marked by entrepreneurship and community connection. He was the owner of Chicken on the Run and also sold Kitty's Chicken, businesses through which he shared his work ethic and his personable nature with many people over the years. He took pride in his work and in the relationships he formed through it, and he was known for treating others with sincerity and respect.
Family was central to Odie’s life, and he treasured the people who surrounded him. He is survived by his children, Missy and Bill Tyler of Dallas, Texas; Jeff and Kandice Phelps of Gulfport, Mississippi; Bobby Joe of Picayune, Mississippi; and Odie Joe Phelps of Texas. He also leaves behind his brother, Perry Joe Phelps of Lawton, Oklahoma; his brother, Marion Russell Phelps Jr., known as Rusty, and his wife, Diana, of Lawton, Oklahoma; and his sister, Grace, and her husband, Edward Verkler, of Fort Worth, Texas. His family brought him great joy, and he took pride in each of them and in the lives they built.
Odie was also grandfather to Dane Batterton, Madison Phelps, Caleb Phelps, Kalausa Riley Moala, and Malani Moala, and he was blessed with two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion Russell Phelps and Wanda Beth Baster, as well as by John Winston Phelps and Edward Stewart Phelps. Their memories remained close to his heart, and he carried the bonds of family with him throughout his life.
Those who knew Odie will remember a man who could make others laugh, who gave freely of himself, and who met life with a spirit that was both strong and kind. He leaves behind a legacy of service, hard work, and love that will continue to live on in the hearts of his family and friends. Though his passing leaves a great emptiness, his life stands as a lasting reminder of the value of devotion, perseverance, and the simple goodness of a man who cared deeply for others.
His family said: Odie was everyone's rock and protector. He always had a smile on his face. He was one of the most generous people you would ever meet. He was a business owner most of his life. Selling Kitty's chicken for the last 30 years as Chichen on the Run. He had a beautiful singing voice and love to sing Elvis songs.
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