Dennis Kendall O'Dell

O'Dell, Dennis Kendall 61 07/11/1948 05/11/2010 Dennis Kendall O'Dell passed away May 11, 2010, at his home in Warren, under the care of his loving wife, family members and Legacy Hospice. Born July 11, 1948, to Ray and Shirley O'Dell in Portland, Dennis was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. He graduated from Wilson High School in Portland in 1966 and attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. During his school days, he played the accordion and trumpet and also played soccer and baseball. In anticipation of turning 16, Dennis worked many part-time jobs, earning enough money to purchase his first car, a "three-on-the-tree" 1954 Plymouth Belvedere, which sparked his lifelong passion for cars. In 1968, Dennis began a long and dedicated career with Western Bancorp which, through many mergers and acquisitions, ultimately became Wells Fargo & Co. Dennis earned numerous awards and received much intensive training in his career as systems analyst for the information technology division. He was devoted to his position at the bank and retired just last year. After struggling with drugs and alcohol in his 20s and early 30s, Dennis found sobriety in 1982. He worked diligently on his recovery and in 1986 he had the honor of serving as chairperson of the Columbia River Young Peoples Roundup. He met many of his lifelong friends in recovery and this was always an integral part of who he was. Dennis suffered from liver disease later in life, eventually necessitating a liver transplant. A partial transplant on Feb. 14, 2003, from a live donor, his dear friend Robert, gave him the gift of more than seven wonderful years. In that time, he married his beautiful wife, Susan Barnes, June 11, 2006, and they have spent their lives together in the country in Warren. He was also able to continue his employment, enjoy 34 years as a Portland Trail Blazer season ticket holder, golf, ski, take pleasure in home improvement projects and make his famous blueberry waffles for the family every Mother's Day. Dennis and Susan loved to travel with their good friends to Cancun, Mexico, and Sedona, Ariz., where they spent numerous weeks each year. On one of their recent trips to Mexico they experienced the adventure of their lives being caught in Hurricane Wilma, where they were holed-up in a crowded, makeshift shelter for more than four days. Dennis is survived by his wife, Susan; father and mother, Ray and Shirley; brothers, Stephen (Hilary) of Redondo Beach, Calif., and his four grown children and David (Debie) and his four children of Hokenson, Wash.; grandson Evan; and five stepchildren and their children. Dennis was predeceased by his sister, Laura. We will all miss Dennis' passion, persistence and tenacity through adversity; his incredible wit and humor; and his love for his wife, Susan; grandson, Evan; his family; and friends. A celebration of Dennis' life will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2010, in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3405 S.W. Alice St., Portland, OR 97219. Condolences to the family may be made at www.columbiafh.com. Remembrances to a charity of choice.