Ernie was born on April 23, 1949, in Farmington, Maine to Leon Norton Odell of Farmington, Maine and Nicolene Jensen Odell of Boston, Massachusetts. The family moved to Jacksonville, Florida when he was 5. He graduated from Englewood High School in 1967. Ernie joined the United States Navy out of high school and served for 9 years. He achieved the rank of E-6 Petty Officer and was rated as First Class Engineman.
Ernie learned the maintenance of machinery, diesel and gas engines while in the Navy and continued to work in that field after he was discharged from the Navy in 1977 in South Carolina. He moved back to Jacksonville in the 80’s where he worked for Ryder Truck Rentals and UPS Truck Rentals. He also worked for Champion Brands, Inc., where he retired in 2009.
Ernie loved woodworking, maintaining his vehicles and working in the yard. Sue and Ernie moved to their dream home in 2004 where they loved to spend time reading the morning paper on the front porch.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sue and his children Mark Odell (Michael) and Kate Nieman (Geoff); grandchildren Alex Nieman and Alyssa Nieman.
Service information will be posted soon.
