Lawrence Carlton Odell

Lawrence Carlton Odell, age 93, a 91-year resident of Nevada, passed away December 12, 2016. Larry was born April 2, 1923 in Chicago, IL to his now deceased parents, Frances M. Odell (Niehouse) and James M. Odell. Larry attended one-room schoolhouses in northern Nevada growing up as the son of a silver miner. In 1938 at the age of 15, he moved to Southern Nevada with his family and made it his home for over 78 years. Larry enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 and spent four years fighting in WWII as a machine gunner in the South Pacific in the Second 155 Howitzer Battalion whose record of six campaigns was not equaled in the Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged in January 1946, and his unit was given the name "Forgotten Battalion," having fought in the front lines in Guadalcanal, Tulagi, Tarawa, Saipan, Guam and Iwo Jima. Larry was an amazing man and an amazing Marine. In 1948 Larry married the beautiful Dorothy Mabie after renting his Henderson townsite home from her while she was working for the townsite home office. Larry was the first 40-year employee at the plant in Henderson, which in early days was named Western Electrochemical Corporation (WECCO), then called American Potash and Chemical Company (AMPOT), and finally Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation. Co-workers all admired Larry's commitment, loyalty, work ethic, and good citizenship as a long-time supervisor. Larry was an avid bridge player, playing with the same group of friends for several decades. He enjoyed weight lifting, walking, gardening, bowling, golf, and spending time with his family and friends. Larry especially loved spending several weeks each year in Santa Barbara where he enjoyed time with family, watching the ocean, and enjoying the weather. Lawrence was predeceased in 2012 by his wife of 64 years Dorothy Mabie Odell. He is survived by two daughters Sandra Jean Odell (Douglas Ferraro) of Las Vegas and Cynthia Jane Odell (Dan Bzdok) of Santa Barbara CA; grandchildren Craig (Kristi) Ferraro of Avon CO, Kim Oliger of Durango CO, and Jared (Anita) Bzdok of Copley OH; great grandsons Brett and Peter Ferraro of Avon CO, James and Mikael Oliger of Durango CO and Jared Joseph Bzdok of Copley OH; great-great grand daughter Liliauna Oliger of Durango CO; sisters Abigail Buccieri of Camarillo CA and Cynthia Luttig (Duane) of Springfield OR; and sister-in-law Thelma Jean Rawlings (Robert) of Berlin CT. Five sisters and two brothers predeceased Larry. The family acknowledges with deep appreciation the care provided to Larry for the past two years by the empathetic staff at Aegis Living. Contributions in Lawrence's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Desert Southwest Chapter (702.248.2770) or www.alz.org/dsw. A private service will take place at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.