Samuel Bernard O'Dell

SAMUEL BERNARD O'DELL, 89 years, died Tuesday, March 8, 2011. On a frigid day in Kansas City, MO., December 23, 1921,Samuel was born two months premature to Margaret (Waldeck) O'Dell Frampton and Samuel C. O'Dell, brought home from the hospital in a shoe box and placed in the oven with the pilot light on and the door ajar to keep warm. At age 13, he, his mother and younger sister, Marjorie Ann, moved to Los Angeles where he graduated from Fremont High. In 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and as a young sailor married the love of his life, Roberta Winter. They remained soul mates in marriage for the ensuing 64 years, until Roberta passed in late 2007. After receiving his Honorable Discharge Papers from the Navy, he attended USC under the GI Bill (driving a 1929 Ford Model A and "needing underwear", he often quipped) graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. Over the years, as his family grew, he worked in the die-casting industry at McCulloch Corporation; Preco; X-Cello and Pioneer Die Casters; as well as occasional free lance drafting jobs for the fun of it. He was a lifetime member of Society of Die Casters, an active member of St. Raymond's Catholic Church and was involved for many years in his sons' Boy Scout Troop activities, all three of whom reached the rank of Eagle Scout through his guidance. Waiting for him in Heaven are his loving parents, Sam and Margaret; cherished sister, Margie; beloved stepfather, Bill Frampton; adored wife, Roberta and grandson, Joseph. He is survived by his son Michael with daughter-in-law Bette and their children Linda, Nancy Trillo (husband Hiram), Daniel and David; his daughter Donna Dittus with son-in-law John Henry and daughter Becky Durniok (husband Paul); his son James with daughter-in-law Peggy and daughter Devon; his son John with daughter-in-law Gail and their children Desire'e and Dana; his daughter Teresa Traversi with son-in-law Daniel and their children Jessica, Samantha, Victoria and Prescott. Also his two great-grandchildren, Ethan and Emma Durniok, with another Durniok and Trillo on the way as well as many loving nieces and nephews. He will be remembered as he lived, a strong and honorable patriarch with a great sense of humor, who always greeted one as a friend, asked little of others and gave without question. Visitation to be held on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at Miller-Mies Mortuary, 11015 Downey Ave., Downey, CA from 5:00 - 7:00 pm., A Vigil Service will begin at 7:00 pm.; A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011 at St. Raymond's Catholic Church, 12348 Paramount Blvd., Downey, CA at 10:00 am.; Followed directly by interment at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 5835 W. Slauson Ave., Culver City, CA. The family would like to extend our appreciation to the dedicated and compassionate people at Lakewood Park Manor and Country Villa Bay Vista, all of his McDonald's "buddies" as well as Lalo, who provided the means for him to attend Mass when he became unable to do so on his own. Our Dad never failed to appreciate a favor. God rest his soul. We'll miss you, Dad.