Orville Neil Odom
Orville Neil Odom, age 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas, surrounded by his loved ones. He was the youngest of five boys, born in Lufkin, Texas, on August 23, 1938, to James Thomas Odom and Clora Estelle Odom of Apple Springs, Texas.
Orville came from a small rural town in East Texas, filled with determination to obtain the best possible education, fulfilling a dream of his parents who emphasized the importance of education. After graduating High School with honors, Orville enrolled in Stephen F. Austin State College where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree. After college, Orville continued his education by enrolling in The University of Houston College of Pharmacy where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy.
Orville was a member of Phi Delta Chi Professional Fraternity. During his last semester of Pharmacy School, Orville met the love of his life, Gwenn Marie Gabbertt, a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana. They married on February 2, 1963, and spent 60 wonderful years together in Beaumont, Texas. While in Beaumont, Orville found it spiritually gratifying to serve his community by administering to the sick.
Many of the Beaumont locals will recall Kelley’s Sav-Mor Drugs located in the old Gaylynn Shopping Center. As well as Alford’s Pharmacy located in Port Acres, Texas. A partnership business which thrived and endured over many decades.
Survivors include his wife, Gwenn Gabbert Odom; his daughter, Allison Odom Pringle and her husband, Brady, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; his son, Scott Thomas Odom of Lafayette, Louisiana and Houston, Texas; and his grandchildren, Claire, Catherine and Paige Pringle.
A gathering of Mr. Odom’s family and friends will begin at 12:00 p.m., with his funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 6, 2024, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His graveside service will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Consolata Cemetery, 2300 Country Club Road, Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- May 6, 2024
- 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Funeral Service
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- May 6, 2024
- 2:00 pm
Graveside Service
Consolata Cemetery
- 2300, Country Club Road, Lake Charles, Louisiana, 70605,
- May 7, 2024
- 2:00 pm
me and Zane and Gwen would stay at the Mama Odom’ s store in Apple Springs and pore through Uncle Orville’s high school yearbooks. Looking at pictures of Charles Ray Barton, Garner Spring, Mary Lee Richards, Barbara Witt, Thomas Dubose. We would shudder at his jars of fish, reptiles, and other creatures from his science classes at SFA. He would always pick out Grandpa Tom’s pickups. One time he got him an International. That was a weird looking pickup.
I’m so sorry for your loss, my prayers to the family.
Uncle Orville will be dearly missed!! He helped my sisters & I in Apple Springs with our horse riding. He was always welcoming to my, husband & I when we’d visit at the Burketown Reunions! We were so glad to get to see him & Aunt Gwenn at the Burketown reunion last year thanks to Scott & Monica driving them there! His love will remain always! He’ll be greatly missed.
Gwen
So sorry about Orville’s passing. I’ll always cherish my memories of my best friend and the great times we had growing up and in our college days.
Condolences to you and your family.
Charlie
Gwen, I’m so sorry for your loss. Hopefully your memories will sustain you and your family through this difficult time.
My prayers are with you and the family, dear Gwen. He was such a very nice man.
Orville was a great man and literally watched us grow up. Prayers for the family.
Dear Gwen and family. Orville was such a great man. I always enjoyed being with him on our trips to Houston. May he Rest In Peace.
So sorry for your loss. He was a very nice man and relief pharmacist. I worked with him at Wilcox Pharmacy in Winnie. Heaven has received a angel. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY . VANESSA REVIA