Benny Odes O'Rear

SAN ANGELO Odes was born on Sep. 30, 1924, in Colorado City to Leonard and Myra O'Rear who preceded him in death. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2009, in Shannon Hospital he transitioned to be with the ?love of his life' Eva Lou, who preceded him in death in April 2007. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel with burial to follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Johnson's Funeral Home. Odes was part of "the Greatest Generation." On June 7, 1942, at the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy where he served on the USS Maryland until his discharge in 1945. A graduate of Sul Ross State University master's program he taught school and retired in Balmorhea, Texas, where he served as junior high and elementary principal. Odes was preceded in death by two of his brothers, David "Mix" O'Rear and Ray O'Rear. He is survived by his two daughters, Linda Barnett of Austin and Virginia Sue Conlee of Fort Worth, Texas; five grandchildren, Andy Barnett of Tulsa, Okla., Sheila Conlee of Clyde, Texas, Scott Barnett of Marshall, Texas, Shad Conlee of Abilene, Texas, and Diane Maynard of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Albert O'Rear; and five sisters, Mildred Holtzhauer, Alene Talbot, Nellie Momany, Joyce Neuhold and Lona Mae Murphy.