A funeral service for James Edward Odom, 95, of Amber, will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 21, 2023 at the First Baptist Church, Amber, OK.
James E. Odom passed away at his home near Amber, Oklahoma on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at the age of 95. He was born November 22, 1927, in Amber, Oklahoma to B. Roscoe Odom and Reta Odom.
James was a 1949 graduate of Amber High School. He remained at home after graduation to help manage the family farming and dairy operations. He enjoyed working alongside his family, especially his father. James had a strong work ethic and continued his love for farming by helping out his fellow farmers until he was 85 years old.
James married the love of his life, Lauana Palmer in Chickasha, OK on June 24, 1951, and they shared 72 years together and they had three girls, Beverly, Pam and Sharon. The girls were the focus of his life right up until the time that his grandkids were born, and then everyone could tell the real favorites. He would always make time for a quick stop at Otis Ivie’s gas station where ice cream and visiting with BB was the priority. The grandkids would get a soda pop and candy bar or bubblegum that had to be eaten before arriving back home.
James tolerated going on vacation because he did not like leaving his cows to be cared for by anyone else. His favorite destination was Branson, MO, and he enjoyed going there with family and friends. He also traveled to Alaska and Hawaii reluctantly.
He loved his community and the Amber-Pocasset school system where he served on the school board for many years. He also loved the Lord and his church where he was involved for most of his life. As an active member at the First Baptist Church of Amber he served as a deacon, a member of numerous committees, and the Sunday School records secretary.
He will be remembered as a devoted and loving son, husband, father, Papa, brother, uncle, and friend.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, B. Roscoe and Reta Odom; two brothers and five sisters.
James is survived by his wife, Lauana Odom, of the home; sister Rose Lee of Elk City; daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Steve Taylor of Amber; daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Bob Gordon of Blanchard; daughter and son-in-law, Sharon Rose and Steve Harris of Blanchard; granddaughter, Andrea Fairbanks of Blanchard; granddaughter and her husband, Jennifer and Joe Kimmons of Amber; granddaughter and her wife, Jess Henderson and Julie Hopkins of Norman; grandson and his wife, Nathan and Julie Henderson of Tuttle; great-grandchildren Seth Fairbanks, Lauren Fairbanks, Addyson Kimmons, Kallie Kimmons, Baylee Kimmons, Coen Henderson, and Scout Henderson, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A family visitation for James will be Wednesday, September 20th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Amber.
Interment will be in the Amber Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home, Chickasha.