Percy O'Dell Massey

1938 - 2022

Percy O'Dell Massey
December 14, 1938 - August 10, 2022
Cary, North Carolina - Percy O'Dell "Poochie" Massey, 83, peacefully transitioned to Heaven at home in the loving arms of his wife on August 10th. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Amy Ingle Cornell Massey; stepson, James Cornell; daughter, Lu Ann Rudolph (Neil); sons Johnny (Monica) and Wesley Massey, 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Born December 14, 1938, to the late Hubert and Ophelia Cagle Massey and was preceded in death by his brother (Pete) and sisters (Alease and Nancy).
O'Dell's HS coach, Simmon Terrell, kept a scrapbook of O'Dell â€" highlights are: His love for golf started at age 12 as a Hillandale caddy (for Peggy Kirk Bell, etc.); won the Hillandale Club Championships (Age 16 & 17); won the '57 NCHSAA Men's Golf State Champion (69-69) 138 (toppling the State record by 3 strokes, and holding this record until 1970); '55 won the Eastern Junior Jaycee Championship and Medalist in National Junior Jaycee Championship. Young Massey (nickname "Poochie") graduated Durham HS '57 as the No 1 man for two years on the undefeated DHS Golf team and was called "Durham's Golfing Ambassador;" '58 turned Professional as Associate at Duke University Golf Course; '60 resigned to go on tour as Associate under Luke Veasey at Hillandale Golf Club; '61 received The Professional Golfers' Association of America Certificate; '65 Statesville CC Pro, Opened Quail Ridge Golf Club as Pro; '70 Alamance CC Pro; '71 "O'Dell's Best Carolina Section Season" (won five Pro-Am, Hearld-Sun Invitational in Durham for the second straight Year, second place in Carolina Section); '73 won Winston Classic and Carolina Section Championship, named Athletic of the Week and CPGA Player of the Year. O'Dell stated "It is one thing to be able to play golf well. But it is even more important to teach it well. I receive the greatest self-satisfaction from watching a beginner or high handicap player improve his game. To know that I have helped him gives me a deep inner pride."
O'Dell played with Johnny in CGA Father-Son Tournaments and with Wesley, Johnny, and James in Alamance County Parent Child Tournaments. O'Dell and nine PGA Golf Club Pros were select to represent the USA in England for a Match Play event, in which the USA won. After 20 years, he left the Golf profession, became an insurance agent, and retired as a NC Dept of Corrections Purchasing Agent.
O'Dell gave freely of his time and talents to his family, friends, Highland UMC, Upper Room Sunday School Class, Remembrance Tree Fundraiser, and anyone or anything along life's way. God made this special husband for me to help raise my son. A loving gentleman, compassionate and kind, a heart of gold with precious memories, that only my heart can hold.
A Celebration of O'Dell's life will be Friday, August 26th at 2:00pm, Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607, reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607, or Family Promise of Wake County, 903 Method Road, Raleigh, NC 27606.
We would like to thank Kei'Osha Winbush for the loving care she gave O'Dell in his final days.