Milton Dewitt Odum Jr.

Milton D. Odum Jr, a devoted family man, accomplished entrepreneur, proud military veteran, and faithful servant of the catholic church, passed away peacefully on November 28th, 2024, just days shy of his 81st birthday.

Born in Dawson, Georgia, on December 2nd, 1943, Milton was raised in Philadelphia, PA as the eldest of seven brothers. He embraced the role of a leader early on, setting a strong example for his siblings with his unwavering dedication and sense of responsibility. He attended Bishop John Neumann High School before graduating from Philadelphia University with a B. A in Accounting. Milton later earned his master’s in business administration from Marshall University, demonstrating his lifelong commitment to learning and excellence.

Milton’s love of numbers began at the early age of 9. He often spent time in his room counting money he earned from after school and summer jobs and found joy in working with finance throughout his life. He also developed a deep love of history, enjoying the opportunity to learn about the past and the stories that shaped the world. His passion for problem-solving extended to his love of card games, which he often played during his downtime in the military and with his brothers. He eagerly looked forward to beating his brothers at a game of Pinocle whenever he visited them in Philadelphia.

A proud Air Force Veteran, Milton, served his country with honor before embarking on a successful career as a Ford dealer in Marysville, Washington. His exceptional leadership and business acumen earned him the distinction of being a top revenue award winner, reflecting his dedication and skills in his field. After relocating to Houston from the Seattle area his entrepreneurial spirit led him to become a successful Planet Fitness Franchisee with his family.

His dedication to service was recognized with several honors, including the Rotary Foundation’s Paul Harris Fellow Award for outstanding community service and a Certificate of Appreciation for his volunteer efforts with Marysville’s Economic Development Committee. He volunteered as a lunch buddy meeting weekly with various jr. high school students throughout the year. Later, after moving to Houston, he became a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

A devout Catholic, Milton was a dedicated member and usher of St. Jude’s parish in Redmond, Washington and St. John Vianney in Houston, Texas. His faith and service were the hallmarks of his life. His authenticity, honesty, dedication and loyalty touched the hearts of many.

Milton’s life was a testament to his deep devotion to his family, his faith, and his community. As the eldest of seven brothers, he served as a guiding light for his family and an anchor of support. He will be remembered for his discipline, tireless work ethic, and the countless lives he impacted.

In addition to Milton’s professional achievements, community and family dedication, he loved travelling to various countries and planned to travel to Africa next year. He loved football (Kansas City Chiefs; sorry Philadelphia relatives), fine dining and musicals.

Milton leaves to cherish a legacy of love and memoirs to: his very dedicated, devoted, loving and caring wife of 50 years Katherine, their children Milton (Angel), Kyle (Anitria), Kevin and Chris, his brothers, Theodis (Kim deceased), John (Lori) and Larry (Mamie deceased), 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

He is preceded in death by his father Milton, Sr, mother Ola Mae, his three brothers Gerald, Edward (Vera), and Myron (Ann).

Sorrowfully Submitted, The Odum Family

A homecoming service to celebrate his life will be held Tuesday, December 10th at 10:30 am at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, Texas 77070.

In place of flowers, the family request donations to one of Milton’s favorite charities in his honor. Those charities include but not limited to the American Heart Association, Star of Hope, Houston, Texas; National Museum of African American History & Culture, the American Alzheimer’s Association.