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Dexter Stetson Odin

Dexter Stetson Odin obituary

Dexter Odin Obituary

Dexter Stetson Odin passed away at his Great Falls home Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at the age of 89, surrounded by his family.

Dexter was born August 24, 1934 to Bernice "Sammy" and Janie Odin in Southport, North Carolina. To his family, friends, and older brother, Bill, he was fondly known as "Buddy." His father's Coast Guard assignment brought the family to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where he completed high school, spending his summers in the Merchant Marines on the Great Lakes. After high school he enrolled in the University of Florida, earning a degree in Industrial Relations and serving active duty in the Air Force from 1956 to 1957. He then moved to Washington, DC to study law at George Washington University, where he met his wife, Paula Brown. He proposed to her on the steps of the Capitol Building, and they were married in August of 1958.

After briefly working in private practice, Dexter served as the first ever Fairfax County Attorney from 1967 to 1969. There, he hired David Feldman as assistant county attorney, and both Dexter and David left the county attorney's office in 1968 to work in private practice. In 1973, Jimmy Pittleman joined the firm to lead their Corporate, Tax and Finance practice, and in 1976, the firm officially became Odin Feldman Pittleman. During his time at the firm, Dexter began his role as attorney for the town of Herndon, where he served until 1991. Today, the firm has grown to nearly 50 attorneys and has tried a vast number of cases in criminal defense, litigation, corporate law, real estate and land use, and tax law. Having practiced law for over 50 years, he was named Lawyer of the Year in municipal law by "The Best Lawyers in America" in 2012, 2015, and 2021, and was inducted last year into the Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame.

His childhood in the Outer Banks created in Dexter a lifelong love of seafaring. He owned and co-owned three sailboats, Trilogy, The Balmoral, and The Force Majeure, which carried him on countless sailing adventures around the world, from braving the 50-foot waves around Cape Horn to serving as crew on a tall ship across the Atlantic. Not limited to the waves, his wanderlust continued on land with too many hiking trips to mention, notably an expedition up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania shortly before his 80th birthday. His sense of adventure was unmatched, and he delighted in sharing his travels with family and friends.

Dexter is survived by his wife, Paula, his children, Eric and Amy, and four grandchildren, Corey, Leah, Rebecca, and Scarlett. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Alice, and his brother, Bill.

A sharp intellect, an even sharper wit, and a heart full of kindness that grew even larger through his lifetime, Dexter would ask that you join his family to celebrate the close of his adventures, with a few tears perhaps, but absolutely as much laughter (and rum) as legally allowed.

A memorial service will be held at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St. NE, Vienna, VA on Friday, March 15 at 1 p.m.

The online guestbook is available at

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

Published by The Washington Post from Mar. 10 to Mar. 12, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

Jim Chesley

March 21, 2024

I first met Dexter 16 years ago when he was selected as the Board Attorney for No. VA Electric Cooperative. I was on the Board and Dexter sat next to me at the Board table for the next 16 years. We met monthly and sometimes more and Dexter and I became fast friends. We both had political history in Fairfax County - he as County Attorney and I as Mayor of Clifton. Over the course of our time together we shared stories about business, politics, family and friends. Dexter was my associate, lawyer, advisor and most of all good friend. His knowledge of the law and love of life was unmatched. I marveled at his stories of sailing and climbing adventures. He was proud of his law firm and its associates, his accomplishments but most of all his family. We shared many good times discussing issues and I will miss him. Dexter my friend - may we meet again !

Luize

March 15, 2024

Dexter was a wonderful neighbor. I first met him when I was caught in an ice storm, driving a VW beetle, on Old Dominion on my way home from work. I stopped at the 7 11 to figure out what to do. Fortunately for me, Dexter had also stopped there. We chatted and he offered to take me home (only a block from his house) and then took me back to get my car at the 7 11 when the roads had cleared. Our neighborhood was very different then, quite rural, and I knew I could always count on Dexter to help out....in the most cordial and gentlemanly manner. He will be missed in our neighborhood.

Joann DiGennaro

March 14, 2024

Dexter was a grand, elegant, and exemplary attorney.

Sincerely,
Joann DiGennaro

Todd and Karen Steffens

March 14, 2024

Buddy was a friend of my wife's parents from high school. He was always gracious to my wife and me, as well as my children, ready and willing to help when needed. I will be forever grateful to have experienced his kindness and to have been his friend.

John

March 12, 2024

35 years ago this month, Dexter visited a sick child in Fairfax Hospital as she underwent 5 weeks of chemotherapy. He noticed the young girl´s fascination with a video game that helped her visualize the medicine killing the cancer cells. When she was discharged, a Nino machine was delivered to her home for her to continue her recovery. Today, she is mother of her own daughter.

Dexter´s compassion will forever be a blessed memory.

Denton U Kent

March 10, 2024

I became a friend of Dexter's 42 years ago and we never had a harsh word between us. Our friendship was based on compatibility, a shared sense of adventure, intellectual curiosity, and on my part, admiration. It was always easy for us to talk on a great many subjects and to seek each other's views and sometimes, advice. Our joint adventures of Kilimanjaro, walking across Scotland and sailing in exotic waters stand out as some of the best times we shared and are among my best memories. Few can match the legacy Dexter leaves. He was the best friend anyone could hope for. Denton

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Money and King Funeral Home and Cremation Services

171 Maple Avenue W, Vienna, VA 22180

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