O'Dell Riley Hadley Sr.

Sunset: July 20, 2019

Obituary

O’Dell Hadley was born in 1938 to Louie Hadley and Anna Mae Hadley in Winter-Garden Florida. At a young age, he joined the military where he served in the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from the military, he took up boxing and fought as an amateur, and soon met the love of his life, Ruth Hadley. The two have been married for over 63 years and had six children together, O’Dell Hadley, Jr., James (Button) Hadley, Ozella (Debbie) Hadley-Dossett, Ronald J. Hadley, Bruce Hadley and Michael Hadley.

Boxing was O’Dell Hadley, Sr.’s passion. He trained many young men, both professionally and amateur throughout his life. O’Dell Hadley, Sr., guided the boxing career of O’Dell Jr., an outstanding world ranked amateur and early undefeated professional career. O’Dell reached the pinnacle of his career as a boxing trainer/coach when he guided Toney Tubbs to the Heavyweight Championship of the World. Anyone who knew O’Dell, Sr., knew he was a fighter, and loved the sport of boxing.

O’Dell Hadley, Sr., also has been an inspiration, father figure and mentor to many youths over his lifetime, especially many kids and young adults in the Mar Vista Gardens area. He was also a loving Grandfather and Great Grandfather to the Hadley family.

O’Dell is survived by his wife Ruth Hadley, their children, O’Dell Jr., his wife Jackie; Debbie Hadley-Dossett, her husband James Dossett; Ronald and his wife Tanisha; Bruce Hadley, his wife Stephanie, and Michael Hadley.

His Grandchildren: Andrie Krahl, Dean Hadley, Mikey Hadley, Joshua Harper, Samantha Hadley, Dericka Potts, Tyler Hadley, Michaela Hadley, Kori Hadley and Andrew Hadley.

O’Dell, Sr., also had the blessing of seeing his great Grandchildren:

Avery Winters-Krahl, Makenzie Hadley, Victoria Harper, Jacinda Harper, Damani Blue, Donyia Harper, Brylen Blue, Jaithan Harper, Zaiden Blue, Dallas Harper, Breya Blue, Adler Krahl, Stella Hadley and Gabriel Hadley.

As one seed falls to the ground it produces an abundant harvest. We miss you Grandpa!