JOHN ODOM Obituary

ODOM--John Newman, age 94, son of Mariel Nugent Odom and Reginald Odom, died on March 7, 2024, in New York City. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Boynton, and daughters Karen, Lisa (Steven Pellinen), and Adrienne (Karen Scher). A son, Peter, predeceased him. A memorial is planned for late May.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Mar. 14, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for JOHN ODOM

17 Entries

Sheryl Rencher and family

Planted Trees

Napoleon Williams

May 24, 2024

No matter one's age, it's always an unexpected and pleasant surprise when we encounter someone who, by vivid example, makes us recall from childhood our earliest ideals of what it means to be kind, generous, gracious, and positive by stepping up to extend help, love, joy, and a feeling of belonging to someone in need.

This was my immediate reaction when I first met John Odom and Barbara Boynton, his wife, in light of their decision to welcome Abigail and Rebecca, sisters, to live with them at an important time in their lives. This was a most important, and moving, development. It helped provide an environment of normalcy, family life, security, and comfort for them, and gave them welcomed time and space for adjustments

I know both Rebecca and Abigail loved the time they lived as part of the family of John and Barbara in their home, and benefitted greatly from it.

I had not known either John or Barbara before but I quickly recognized the generosity and love that were signatures of their personalities. I greatly enjoyed the times I spent with John and Barbara, and feel sadness knowing that his physical presence is no longer with us. He leaves many memories, the richest of which are easily retrievable.

Napoleon Williams
Acquaintance

Abigail Hornstein

May 23, 2024

I think we all learned the saying "do unto others as you'd have them do unto you" but very few ever need to really think through what that means. I'm eternally grateful that John and Barbara knew what I needed and gave it to me. I wish I'd said "thanks" more often and more frequently but I think they always knew that I am, and was, thankful.

John and Barbara have given a lot to all of us. Not just the warmth and friendships from their holiday parties but also just a sense of acceptance and welcome. I love the way John always found me where I was and connected with me. That's a higher level of acceptance and welcome!

I've learned a very important lesson from John and Barbara's holiday parties: the right amount of food and drink to have when hosting friends is always way too much so that your guests always feel spoiled rotten. It is a huge treat to feel that spoiled, and that is how I felt when I first met John and Barbara as a little kid. I hope it isn't selfish to say: I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Much love and sympathy to all who knew John as we're missing a wonderful man.

Vishnu Mahabir

May 17, 2024

Dearest John. You handed me my first tennis racket, then shortly thereafter you became my coach. You've supported me throughout my tennis career, encouraging me to enter many tournaments. You believed in me more than I did in myself. You offered me the opportunity of an internship to coach younger kids, a position I embraced and appreciated. You were there for me always, from letters of recommendations to facilitating a scholarship to John Jay College. You were like family John, attending many of our family functions and enjoying my mom's delicious food, especially her roti. We had fun memories of partaking in the yearly Christmas tree trimmings and summer outings. I cannot say enough of how you impacted my life. I'm a family man now and aspire to be a role model to my children as you were to me. I find solace in the fact that I was able to see you recently. We will all miss you, John.

Renee Pena Lopez

May 5, 2024

I still remember the day my grandfather said we were family. I was so thrilled and excited to hear Uncle John's stories. I will miss them.

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

David Randall

April 15, 2024

Echoing my sister Ariane's reminiscences. All the lovely guests we met at John and Barbara's parties also were a tribute to their power of making and keeping friends; the people, as much as the food and the ornaments and John himself, told me how wonderful a man he was.

Ariane Randall

April 14, 2024

My parents Francis and Laura Randall were old friends of Barbara and John.

We looked forward very year to their fantastic Tree Trimming parties. A cherished childhood memory indeed!

Tables overflowing with mountains of gourmet delicacies, the famous eggnog, fruitcake and petit fours. A very tall tree with boxes and boxes of ornaments for us children to enjoy putting up. My earliest encounter with a video game. We kids had fun hanging upside down from John´s exercise equipment. Kids that I first met at their parties I am still friends with today. A bed with coats piled so high we kids could hide underneath them, because John and Barbara had lots and lots of friends.

And yet in the midst of this huge party, John always had time to say hi and a few words to each of us no matter how small. I remember his sparkling eyes, radiating warmth and charm and intelligent good humor.

Sending sincerest condolences to his family and all who loved him,
Ariane Randall

Barbara Ann Cook

April 10, 2024

I heartily endorse my son Peter´s reminisces. I met Barbara, who was Business Manager of Business Week magazine, after I joined McGraw-Hill as a lawyer. My late husband David and I were invited to Barbara and John´s wonderful Christmas tree-trimming parties starting in the late 1970s and continued until 2017 when my husband became too disabled. Our sons first attended at a few months old. The company was delightful and the food delicious! John was a great host and a great chef.

We came to know his daughters. I recall Barbara driving Karen cross-country for her post-college job in Colorado and Lisa teaching my son Peter to write his name around age 4. We attended the great party Barbara hosted for John´s 60th Birthday near the tennis courts.

And I recall Barbara and John´s generosity in hosting the suddenly orphaned daughters of a lawyer friend for several months so the girls could finish the school year in their NYC schools before having to move out of state.

Great people.

David Bridglall

April 10, 2024

My John...1st met you at 92 at 12 on the tennis courts....remember you yelling at me not to ride my bike on the courts....at 14 your journey to become a father figure began after mine died...with your help I accepted a grant for tennis camp and being the man that you are...you let me stay with you for a week. During my college days I would ask about scholarships to assist with USPTR memebership dues... you would take the bill....and being the man that you are you take care of it every time...I believe my debt is paid since you had me install a dishwasher and I almost got electrocuted. I once gave a speech about my experience w/ NYJYL....I wrote the speech...included your name and your impact on me.... you proofread it...and being that man that you are, deleted your name not needing recognition...You took pictures of the luncheon and.... I am still waiting for the 1 with Jeannie Ashe. It's probably in your archives. Words cannot express how I feel. Im truly sorry for your loss Barbara and the girls....as I sit here at 44 with a son that I will adopt....I hope and pray to continue to be a great husband, dad, teacher, and role model to my son and the community as you were. I love you and will miss you dearly.

Peter Cook

March 25, 2024

My parents are old friends of Barbara and John, and the holiday tree-trimming parties Barbara and John hosted are some of my brightest and most cherished childhoods memories. Their home was suffused with joy, intelligence, creativity and good humor; and while John was holding court wittily with the adults, he was was always just as kind, thoughtful and gracious toward us kids. Whenever I read or see A Christmas Carol and Mr. Fezziwig appears, I always think of him. With condolences to all who knew and loved him, and especially his wonderful family,

Lisa

March 16, 2024

Oh my papa, JNO-the one who dubbed us Lisa Anne the Pizza Pan, Adrienne Jean the Jelly Bean, and Karen the Baron Barracuda, the one who taught me to ride a bike but not how to brake, the one who taught me tennis (the only sport I´ve loved as a player) with his buckets of balls, the one who made osso bucco, cassoulet, feijoada, and well-done waffles just for me, the one who serenaded us with folk ballads and ditties we sing yet today, the one who regaled us with poetry and Latin and stories though we had heard repeats of the latter so many times that too often we groaned, the one from whom I inherited an affinity for word games. Turns out PANEGYRE* was in the Oxford English Dicionary (OED) if not the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary (OSPD). I will miss your love and lore. If you run into Nana and Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater, say hello for me.