Roger P. O'Dell Sr.

Roger was born on February 18, 1943, in Braymer, MO to Reverend Russell O’Dell and Ruth Karnes. Roger married Alma Hedrick in 1966. Roger worked in a filling station in Riverside in his younger years pumping gas. Roger began working for General Motors in 1967 as an assembly worker at the Leeds plant in Kansas City, MO. When the Leeds plant closed, he transferred to the Oklahoma City GM plant for three years and was finally able to transfer to the Fairfax plant in Kansas City, KS. He spent over 33 years working for GM in several areas, including installing seats, and batteries, putting in windshields, as well as working in the paint department.

During almost 57 years of marriage, the couple had three children. Roger set about teaching them how to take care of their vehicles properly and how to fish. He instilled in his children the importance of having a strong work ethic, being a respectable citizen, and don’t forget to use “the elbow grease”. He was a dedicated individual who loved cars and who was passionate about watching Gunsmoke and other westerns.

He is preceded in death by his father, Reverend Russell O’Dell of Hiawatha, KS, mother, Ruth (Karnes) Calhoun of Kansas City, KS, older brother, John O’Dell of Florida, and younger brother, Michael O’Dell of Kansas City, KS.

Roger is survived by his, wife, Alma, and daughter Tammy Beeghley (Rev. Charles) of Independence, MO, daughter Debra O’Dell of Kansas City, MO, and son Roger Jr. (Kristi) of Lee’s Summit, along with his grandchildren: Sarah Davis (Brad), Bradley Beeghley (Haley), Ryan Beeghley, Matthew O’Dell, Jessica O’Dell, and Emily O’Dell. Roger was recently blessed to become a great-grandfather to Elise Davis.

Visitation and Celebration of Life is scheduled for Monday, August 7, 2023 at 11 am at the White Chapel Funeral Home and Cemetery, 6600 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, Missouri 64119.