December 28, 1924 – July 31, 2009

Mr. Luther Lee O’Dell, Sr., 84, of rural Orrick, Mo., passed away Friday, July 31, 2009 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Luther was born in Ray County, Missouri, on December 28, 1924 to Luther Carl O’Dell and Mary Ellen (Danner) O’Dell. He was a lifelong resident of Ray County and Orrick. On February 24, 1943 Luther was united in marriage to Vina Covey. He was a lifelong farmer in Ray County.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Vina O’Dell of the home; two sons, Luther Lee O’Dell, Jr. (Kimberly Sterling) and Jimmie O’Dell (Gale), all of Orrick; three daughters, Mary Lee Morrison (Charles Umphfrey) of Richmond, Mo., Janet Dale (Harry) of Kansas City, Mo., and Shirley Offutt of Orrick, Mo.; and a sister, Mary Elizabeth Sheets of Warsaw, Mo. Luther is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren and 42 great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Jessie O’Dell in 2001, and a daughter, JoAnn Collins in 2008, a brother, Delbert O’Dell, and three sons-in-law, Sam Offutt, Larry Millsap and Walley Morrison.

Funeral services will be at 12 noon, Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at the Gowing Chapel in Orrick, with the Reverend Dr. Clay Kahler officiating, burial in Richmond City Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until service time on Tuesday.

Memorials are suggested to the American Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association.