Roy Max O'Dell
R. Max O’Dell, loving husband, father and grandfather passed peacefully on the early morning of October 6, 2021, at the age of 84. He was born on June 15, 1937 in Campbells Creek, WV to his parents Henry and Marie O’Dell. Max graduated from DuPont High School in Belle, WV and then went on to graduate with a degree from Marshall University in Huntington, WV. He was commissioned by the U.S. Marine Corps in 1958 as a second lieutenant and ended his service as a first lieutenant in 1962. Max had a strong work ethic, dedicating his career to information technology. He spent his life working in IT for the West Virginia State Department from 1962-1969, Stuart McGuire/Home Shopping Network from 1969-1987, and finally Cone Mills from 1987-2004. He was a successful small business owner alongside his wife Carolyn, of Mimi’s Plus Ltd. from 1991-2008. Max was also active with many organizations including Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity, American Legion, Marshall University Alumni Association, and the Marine Corps League #260. He was an avid reader and researcher – he was very passionate about researching his family lineage and genealogy. Each week he looked forward to his golf outings with friends in the Frazier Golf Group in Greensboro, NC. What he cherished the most was the time spent with family. Max was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Marie O’Dell, his stepfather Orville “Jack” Withrow, daughter Erin Leslie O’Dell, granddaughter Megan Rian Clark, and brother James Harlan O’Dell.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Carolyn Jackson O’Dell; beloved children, Kelley Clark (David Clark), Brian O’Dell (Katie O’Dell), Darren O’Dell (Georganna O’Dell), Nathan O’Dell (Kim O’Dell); adoring grandchildren, Reese Clark (Leslie Beckner Clark), Suzanne O’Dell Binnendijk (CDR. Baxter Smoak), Lizabeth O’Dell, Max O’Dell, Emma O’Dell, Dossie O’Dell, Grace O’Dell, Madison O’Dell; and unruly (but adored) great grandchildren, Tyler Beckner, Nathan Clark, Devin Clark, Chase Clark, Grayson Smoak, Caroline Smoak, Abigail Smoak, Beau Binnendijk, and Liv Binnendijk; sister, Susan Withrow Shultz (Dave Shultz); nephew, Jimmy O’Dell (Debra O’Dell); and cousin, Lee Anne Beane-Wilson. His humor and strength will be missed. He loved his family and his God – his faith carried him home.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, VA, with Rev. Tim Gearheart officiating. Burial will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem.
Friends may visit with the family from 1 p.m. until the service hour at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by visiting: www.lls.org
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.
