Lonnie H. O'Dell

Lonnie H. O'Dell "Paw Paw" Lonnie H. O'Dell was born on June 20, 1920 in McGregor, Texas, and passed away on May 22, 2007 at his home in Austin, Texas, with his family by his side. He touched the lives of many people during his 86 years of life. He had a great sense of humor and was described by others as "a good man." As the District Director of the Texas Employment Commission (TEC), Lonnie spent his professional life assisting others in vocational opportunities. He retired from TEC in 1982 after 38 years of service. As a founding member and eventual President of the Goodwill Industries of Central Texas Board of Directors, Lonnie was instrumental in establishing an organization whose mission is to enhance the quality and dignity of life for individuals, families and the community by providing job-related services for people with barriers to employment. Today Goodwill Industries of Central Texas serves over 9,000 individuals throughout Central Texas each year. Lonnie centered his life around family and his church, Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ, where he was a member for 55 years, and served as a deacon and volunteer grounds keeper following his retirement from TEC. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, two sisters, and his first wife of 44 years, and mother of his children, June Coates O'Dell. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Maude Raper O'Dell; daughter, Jill O'Dell Farmer and husband Joe; two sons, Mike O'Dell and wife Jeanne, and Randy O'Dell and wife Sharon; sister, Ruby Oswald; step children, Randy Raper and wife Debra, Nancy Williams and husband Mickey, and Nada Jones and husband John; 19 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and his many friends. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Goodwill Industries of Central Texas, located at 1015 Norwood Park Blvd., Austin, TX 78753, or a charity of ones choice. Visitation with family and friends is scheduled from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, May 24, at the Austin Peel and Sons Funeral Home, located at 607 E. Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, May 25, 2007, at the Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ, 11908 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, with internment to follow at Cook-Walden Capital Memorial Parks, Memorial Hill Cemetery, 14501 North IH35 Pflugerville, Texas.