Marshall Speirs Odell

His first years were spent in Marshall, Missouri. Early on his family moved to Kansas City, Missouri where Boy Scouts was a big part of his life while he was young, ultimately earning the rank of Eagle Scout. High school was filled with playing the trumpet in the band, the school newspaper, playing football and enjoying his friends. Appointment to Merchant Marine Academy followed after graduation. Then onto the Army Russian language school in Monterey, CA. The Army sent Marshall to the Germany border to be a “spy”. With Army life over, he came back to Missouri and graduated from the University of Missouri where he met his wife, Carol Wolfe Odell.

Marshall’s first career job as a construction engineer was in Portland, Oregon. After several years, GE Johnson moved him to Colorado Springs. Later, he decided to follow his dream and create an architectural millwork company which he had for 14 years. Marshall’s company’s work can be seen at the Broadmoor and in retail stores in various cities in the United States. His final career, and his favorite job, was as a risk engineer for Zurich Insurance working with residential construction companies in the western U.S. After retirement, woodworking, especially wood turning, became his hobby.

Marshall had a passion for traveling with his family to places like New Zealand and Italy. Biking in the mountains. Playing golf. Going to his kids’ swim meets. (They could hear his encouraging yells under water.) Singing with the barbershop group. And cooking new recipes. These were all things he loved.

Throughout this journey he was an avid reader. When he could no longer see to read due to macular degeneration, he listened to books on tape. The last few years he had a lot of physical challenges and met those head on with a smile, always looking forward to going to breakfast with his buddies and going out to dinner with his wife and friends.

His greatest love was his family. He married Carol Wolfe after college graduation. They were married 59 years. His cherished family are: children Andy Odell and Denise (Pete) Alford. Grandchildren: Morgan (Chris) Staton, Brandon Odell, Trent Alford, and Jillian Alford. Great grandchildren: Hattie and Finley Staton. Plus his brother-in-law Phil, sister-in-law Susie and many loving nieces and nephews. He said he had a great life and wonderful family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jerry and Dorothy Odell and his brother Ron Odell and sister-in-law Laura Wolfe.

Celebration of Life is December 7 at the Academy Christian Church, 1635 Ranch Road, Colorado Spring, 2:30 pm. Reception follows. Donations to Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and American Macular Degeneration Foundation.