Rupert Eugene Odom

Gene was born in 1929 in Georgia but eventually moved to what was then the small town of Bradenton, Fla., where he graduated high school. With no chance to go to college and poor job prospects, Gene joined the Army at 17 and launched a two-decade career that would shape his life. He started as a private in 1946 and volunteered for an assignment to Europe. He was stationed in Tarviso, Italy, with Company B, 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division.

A year later, he had achieved the rank of corporal and moved with his company to Opicina to become a member of the Trieste United States Troops, or TRUST. He was a part of TRUST until he returned to America in June 1950, and he remained an active member of veterans’ groups until his passing. Gene also served a one-year combat tour during the Korean War and spent three years in Panama and one year in Vietnam.

He earned a degree in business administration from Mitchel College, formerly a branch of Long Island University. After retiring from active military duty in 1968 as a lieutenant colonel, Gene worked for the U.S. Department of Labor and the Department of Energy as a program analyst and acquisition official. He left government service in 1986, then worked as a private consultant until permanently retiring in 1992.

Gene met his beloved wife, Nora, during his service in Trieste. They married in 1950 and together raised a wonderful family: a daughter, Susan Christine McClintock, and two sons, Steve and Glenn Odom. Gene and Nora also had four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. His survivors also include two sisters and a brother.

Gene led an honorable and patriotic life and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. His funeral will be held March 27 at 11 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery.