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Colonel Robert E. (Bob) Odom, USA, Ret. Passed away November 9, 2020 at the age of 98. He was born to Iler E. and Bessie Odom July 31, 1922 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. He spent his formative years in Jay, Oklahoma, graduating from high school there in 1940. That fall he enrolled at Oklahoma A & M College (now OSU). He was an avid participant in the ROTC program and was a member of the Pershing Rifles and Scabbard and Blade organizations. In 1943 he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the infantry. He was deployed to the Pacific theatre where he participated in the Leyte, PI, campaign and in the Okinawa campaign.
Relieved from active duty in January 1947, he again enrolled at Oklahoma A & M receiving his BS degree that summer. During this time he met Patricia J. (Pat) Taylor from Tishomingo, Oklahoma. They were married August 17, 1947 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. To this union were born Robert Carl, Mary Jene and Michael David. In the summer of 1947 he was integrated into the Regular Army and was ordered to active duty as a Captain. In 1948 Robert Carl (Bobby) was born in the Ft. Bragg post hospital. In August 1950 Bob was deployed to Korea as a member of Headquarters I Corps. In March 1951, Mary Jene was born and Bob saw her for the first time when he returned from Korea in January 1952. His service schools were the Command and General Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He was promoted to Colonel in 1966. In 1968 his beloved wife Pat died after a lengthy illness. Bob retired in Sept. 1969.
He moved to Norman, Oklahoma, in 1970 where he earned an MA degree in Management from The University of Oklahoma. He then worked for the State of Oklahoma Director of State Finance retiring as Chief Budget Analyst in 1982. He is a member of Bethel Baptist Church, Norman, Okla.; Lodge No. 38 AF&AM, Norman, Okla.; Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and American Legion Post 56, Haskell, Okla.
He was predeceased by his wife Pat and older brother German Odom of Haskell, Okla. He is survived by his son Robert (Bob) Carl Odom and wife Carol of Norman; daughter Mary Jene Mayer of Broken Arrow, Okla.; son Michael (Mike) David Odom and wife Michele of Olathe, Kansas; and his grandchildren: Rebekah Voda and husband Justin of Norman; Robert M. (Bobby) Odom and wife Carmen of Norman; Patricia Queen and husband David of Broken Arrow, Okla.; Jennifer (Jenny) Handzlik and husband Ryan of Broken Arrow, Okla.; Petty Officer 1st Class USNR Taylor Ann Zumbach and husband Major USAF David of Bowie, MD; and Michael R. Odom, of Pipe Creek, TX. Also seven great grandchildren Katie, Sophia, Jackson (Jax), Jem, Gabriella (Gabby), Isabella (Izzy), and Iler. And by his only niece Germaine Markowitz and husband Paul of Carlsbad, CA. and their children Cara and Seth.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2020, at Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman. A private graveside service with full military honors will be held at the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
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