Neil Odom

Neil Randolph Odom, Sr., 80, passed away on July 31, 2021, in Birmingham, AL.

Neil was born on April 21, 1941 in Birmingham, AL, to the late Roy Randolph Odom and the late Evelyn Gladys Ferguson Odom.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Helen Connor Odom; granddaughter, Mary Lynn Odom; his brothers, Ronnie Odom and George Odom (sister in law, Noni); his sister, Barbara Odom Short; brother in law, Bill Shanlever.

Neil loved God, his family and his friends.  He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church serving on many committees, choirs and ministries.  He was also very involved in the juvenile offender ministry, Epiphany Ministries of Alabama. He served on the Board of Directors of the Chalkville Campus of Alabama DYS.  He was also active in the North Alabama Emmaus community, serving on many teams, and was blessed to be a Lay Director of one of those weekends.

Neil graduated from Fairfield High School in 1959 where he was the high school football team's Most Valuable Player his Senior Year playing tailback. He was recruited by Alabama's Coach Bear Bryant but chose instead to start a family with his most loved wife, Helen.  Neil continued to be active playing in many church softball leagues as well as coaching for all three of his children's youth teams.  Neil was an active member of the Boy Scouts, starting when Randy joined as a young boy, and earned the Order of the Arrow. Neil was heavily involved in all his children's interests - band, football, choir, acting, piano - never missing a single performance or game.   But what his children so fondly remember was the way he would engage all the neighborhood kids in playing in the backyard after he got home from work.

He started his career at Walker Drug Company working his way up from stock boy to Purchasing Manager. He worked there for 40 years before taking early retirement. Neil was recognized by the National Wholesale Drug Association in 1995 with the Innovation for Success Award.

Neil enjoyed reading, woodworking, fishing, tinkering with cars, Alabama football and building potato guns (just ask his nephews and nieces).

Neil is survived by his children, Christine Yergert (Randy), Mycha Odom and Randy Odom (Amy); grandchildren, Michael Coley (Jamie), Nicole Odom, Lyla Odom and Connor Odom; his brother, James Odom (Judy); brother in law, Jim Short; sister in law, Gayle Shanlever.

The service for Neil Odom will be held on Friday, August 13, 2021, at Jefferson Memorial at noon with Pastors Gresh Harbuck and Ken Casey officiating.  A visitation will precede the service from 10:00 am to 11:45 am.  Burial will follow the service at Jefferson Memorial.

Memorial donations can be made in Neil's name to ONEeighty Church, 5770 US-11, Springville, AL  35146 or Epiphany Ministries of Alabama, PO Box 1044, Trussville AL  35173.