May 31, 1951 — August 16, 2010
Gary O’Dell was born on May 31st 1951 to the proud parents of Robert and Dolores O’Dell. Of course to them, he had to be the most beautiful baby there ever was. He was always friendly with everyone and was the flirtiest baby possible. At birthday parties he wanted to win all the games and of course all of the gifts. If he did not win, he would get upset and cry. (Try to explain that to him.)
Gary loved and enjoyed doing things with his brothers, Rodney and Fred, and his sister, Pamela. He had many good times with them as well as with his friends. They would all pile up in his old station wagon and take off for the ocean or to the drive-in theater. Everyone there could hear him laughing. It was easy for Gary to laugh and he loved to watch stand up comedians. He was quite the comedian himself. He had fun telling wild funny stories, cracking jokes, and even playing jokes on others.
Gary and Linda met at the age of 16, enjoyed high school together where he ran track and was on the swimming and diving team. It was love from the beginning. Two years later they were married. They started their family when their son, Christopher, was born in 1970. Angela was born in 1972 and Chrise came along in 1976. Gary loved his family very much and they adored him as he did many fun things with them. He performed shows at his children’s schools. When Gary’s youngest daughter Chrise was in high school, the school could not afford a swimming and diving coach, so Gary volunteered to coach them and take them to their functions. He truly was special and beloved by all those children whose lives he touched while selflessly giving of himself.
In spite of being a Type One Diabetic since the age of 13, Gary was a hard worker, good husband, and a wonderful father. He served on the committee that put together an event called “Windsor Days.” For many years Gary was involved with activities that created fun for the whole community. Another event Gary was in, was the Rose Parade in Santa Rosa where the Scouts paraded a “Hover Craft” that he built for them. It was really something to see. He also belonged to the Elks.
At the age of 14, Gary created his own “dummy”. He learned to be a ventriloquist. He did it well and entertained his own family including cousins and friends. Later he bought a professional Dummy whom he called Larry O’Hullahan. He made up his own scripts and even sung songs. Then when he created “Granny,” an old lady with a man on her back, he brought down the ceiling with laughter at many public appearances and winning first place in contests.
All through the many years of illness and pain caused by his diabetic conditions, Gary always maintained a positive, “I’ll beat this thing” attitude. Even in the hospitals, he joked with the nurses and doctors making them laugh by playing silly pranks on them. He was always comforted by his friends, Bob Dickson, Bill Wilson, and Ronnie Broyles. Gary had a hard time enduring the pain of losing his best friend, Ronnie, and his cousins, Linda and David. His wife, mother, father, children, and relatives always gave Gary compassion and love that made him want to keep on going.
Two and a half years ago Gary’s wife Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer. During her many treatments and complications, Gary was at her side every day encouraging her and telling her how much he loved her.
Gary and Linda have four grandchildren, Rochelle, Christopher Jr., Tyler, and Lealani and their first great-grandchild, Angelena. Gary and Linda are “Sole Mates” forever. God Bless our dear Gary; we will always love him, as he will remain in our hearts forever.
When Gary Lewis O'Dell was born on 31 May 1951, in Santa Rosa, Sonoma, California, United States, his father, Robert Eugene O'Dell, was 24 and his mother, Dolores Ann Holt, was 19. He died on 16 August 2010, in Grants Pass, Josephine, Oregon, United States, at the age of 59.
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