Richard "Digger" O'Dell

Cherished husband of over 66 years to Catherine M. O'Dell (nee: Baehr). Beloved father of Barbara (Daniel) Bates, William (Pam) O'Dell, Richard S. (Karen) O'Dell and Timothy O'Dell; Cherished Grandfather of Chrissy (Peter) Stern, Adrienne (Aaron) McCallister, Shawn O'Dell, Brandon (Barbara) O'Dell, Shane O'Dell and Cody O'Dell. Loving Great Grandfather "Papa" of Seth Stern, Chrystian O'Dell, Maddison O'Dell and Marshall McCallister.

Richard was born to William and Anna (nee: Evans) O’Dell in Detroit, Michigan. Richard had two brothers and a sister. He moved to St. Louis, Missouri in his teens and went to Cleveland High School where he met his future wife, Cathy. Richard enlisted in the army where he served two tours of duty in Korea as a medic. He was on the front lines with the team known as the Pied Pipers that searched for the causes of Korean Hemorrhagic Fever. Richard returned home and started working for Union Electric as a lineman/troubleshooter, married his Cathy and raise four children with her.

Richard became very active in his children's schools, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. He was also a member of the Elks, the American Legion, the NRA and served three terms as Commander of VFW Post 2184.

Richard loved the outdoors and was an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman. He hunted and fished all over the US and Canada. His love of the outdoors also included the O’Dell family farm where both cattle and hay was raised, and where pig roasts were hosted for the enjoyment of all.

Richard is survived by his wife, Cathy, his four children, six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Loving brother-in-law, cousin, uncle and friend to many.

Funeral Service at Hoffmeister South County Chapel, 1515 Lemay Ferry Rd., St. Louis, MO 63125 11:30 AM, Friday, January 10, 2020 with committal service and full military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery following. Visitation at Hoffmeister South County Chapel Thursday, January 9, 2020 from 2:00PM to 8:00PM and on Friday morning from 10:00AM until the time of service.

If desired, expressions of sympathy may be made to The National Kidney Foundation, Finance Dept., 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016 https://www.kidney.org/donation