Edward Earl O'Dell

Edward Earl O'Dell BLUFF CITY, Tenn. Edward Earl O'Dell, age 90, passed away Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, at Bristol Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born at Bluff City Jan. 1, 1920, to the late G.A. and Stella Woods O'Dell. He was married to Dorothy Treola Richards May 10. 1945. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Kate Luster and Nina Rinehardt; and a brother, Clyde O'Dell. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy of the home; three children, Barry Kent and Rodney Eric, both of Bluff City, and Jill Paige Fair and son-in-law, Roger Fair of Elizabethton; and one grandchild, Skylar Lee Fair of Elizabethton. Mr. O'Dell attended Milligan College from 1939-1941. He joined the U.S. Navy, serving World War II. A machinist mate, he joined the first cruise of the USS Antietam, commissioned Jan. 28, 1945. Returning from the war, Earl continued pursuing his education building an extensive background in engineering, electronics and business management, completing courses at the University of Tennessee, Illinois Institute of Technology and ultimately becoming a certified engineer. He was a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). He was a Cub Scout Leader, a member of Toastmasters International Club, served First Christian Church of Bluff City as deacon, treasurer, long-time Sunday school teacher, chairman of the missions committee, and numerous other committees, volunteered with wife for Meals on Wheels and loved participating in Operation Christmas Box for Samaritans Purse. He retired from Sperry Univac, (later known as Unisys), in 1983, as a products methods engineer. During his 30+ tenure, he worked on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo projects for the space program and was instrumental in developing one of the first automated printed circuit board manufacturing lines. The funeral service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, at Tetrick Funeral Home Bluff City Chapel with Pastor Ron Whitacre officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. prior the service in the chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home and any time at the residence. The graveside service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Poplar Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, Piney Flats. Active pallbearers will be Danny Buchanan, Jerry Gregg, Ronnie Luster, Bill Morrell, Rodney O'Dell, Barry O'Dell, Jerry Rhinehardt and Jimmy Rhinehardt. Honorary pallbearers will be Andy Blake, Buddy Carrier, Leonard Carver, Myers Davis, Verlin Dempsey, Roger Fair, Gary Morrell, Thad Perry, Jared Rhinehardt, Sonny Woods and elders and deacons of First Christian Church of Bluff City. Minister, pallbearers, family and friends are requested to meet at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Christian Church Youth, P.O. Box 217, Bluff City 37618. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guestbook. Tetrick Funeral Home Bluff City Chapel is serving the O'Dell family. 423-538-7131.