Tom O’Dell passed away Saturday evening August 7, 2021. After several recent health issues, and as a twelve year pancreatic cancer survivor, he is finally at peace. A private family celebration of life will take place at a later date, to be determined.
Tom was born in Kansas City, Kansas on October 31, 1931, to Marie and John O’Dell. Marie would remarry Harry Luth on September 30, 1933, and together they raised Tom in the Armourdale Community. Tom was an only child and their pride and joy.
As a youngster, Tom was known to most of his friends and family as Tommy. He became a standout athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He was a KC All Metro running back at Argentine High School, an All Conference basketball player at McPherson College, and played some semi-professional baseball. To those that knew Tommy O’Dell, he was a tenacious competitor, that would later carry over into his career in coaching. His nickname in college was "Digger" O’Dell.
After graduating from college, on August 14, 1954, Tom married the love of his life Janice Nance. He met Jan at McPherson College. They would have two sons, Mark Thomas O’Dell and Kelly Patrick O’Dell.
Shortly after marriage, Tom was drafted into the military and qualified for officer training school at Fort Leavenworth. He graduated as a Military Intelligence Officer, and was stationed in Baltimore and the Washington D.C. area.
Following military service, Tom pursued his passion to teach high school students, and became a life long social studies teacher and coach, especially basketball. Starting out at Solomon and Ellsworth, and then later as a highly regarded basketball coach in the state of Kansas at Washburn Rural High School /Topeka through the 1960’s. Tom would eventually move his family to Olathe in 1969, which became their home up to Tom’s retirement in 1994. In retirement Tom and Jan would live in Bonita Springs, Florida, Highland Woods Country Club.
Tom taught American Government and was the Head Basketball Coach at Olathe High School in the 1970’s, and helped open Olathe South High School as an Athletic Director in 1982, and later returned to coaching basketball at South up to his retirement. He provided valuable leadership and support through tremendous change and growth in the Olathe District during that period.
Other accolades for Tom O’Dell: He was a contributing member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association, and an active member of the National Council of Social Studies, and obtained his Master’s Degree in Social Studies at Emporia State University. In 1998, Tom was inducted into the Kansas Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and the KC Metro Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2000. In his his career he can take pride in the fact that he helped a countless number of young men earn college basketball scholarships.
To Tom, family was everything! He cherished family gatherings, and all the children. He was greatly loved by all and will be missed.
Surviving relatives: Wife Jan O’Dell, Longwood, Florida. Son Mark O’Dell and wife Radonna, Olathe, Kansas. Grandchildren: Marissa (O’Dell) Osenbaugh, Piedmont, Oklahoma; Ky O’Dell and wife Yari, San Antonio, Texas; Trey O’Dell and wife Shannen, Olathe, Kansas. Great Grandchildren: Marley and Lennin Osenbaugh, Oklahoma; Zayla and Kyrie O’Dell, Texas; Asher and Grey O’Dell, Kansas. Sister-in- law , Carolyn Porter, Longwood, Florida. Brother-in-law, Larry Nance, Des Moines , Iowa. Half Sister, Jackie O’Dell, Cheyenne, Wyoming. A large number of Nephews, Nieces, and Cousins who all reside in:
Florida, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas.
Preceded in Death: Mother, Marie Luth. Father, Harry Luth. Son, Kelly O’Dell. Brother-in-law, Norman Nance. Mother-in-law, Mildred Nance. Father-in-law, Leonard Nance. Grandmother, Bina Sympson. Grandfather, Robert Sympson.
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[S2] Newspaper.
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Nance, Adel, Ia., announce the engagement of their daughter, Janice to Mr. Thomas Gilbert O’Dell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Luth of Kansas City, Kansas. Miss Nance is a student at the McPherson college, McPherson, Kas., and Mr. O’Dell will be graduated from the college next month
— The Kansas City Star, Sunday, May 23, 1954.
1931 - 2021 (89 years)
. Kelly Patrick O’DELL, b. 26 Sep 1960 d. 1 Apr 1980 (Age 19 years)
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