James Burton Odom

James Burton Odom, 91, of Decatur, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, September 7, 2025. He was born to Burton and Edith Sellers Odom on September 24, 1933, in McKenzie, Alabama. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, June Peevy Odom, his daughter, Melanie Odom and his son, James Burton Odom, Jr.(Lee Anne), his four grandchildren, Mary Burton Odom Smith, James Littleton Odom, William Chapman Odom, and Sellers McLeod Odom, and his two great grandchildren, Francis Callaway Smith and Michael VanHorn Smith. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Betty Odom Moseley and Edith Odom Stacy.

Upon graduating from McKenzie High School, Odom attended Troy State University and Auburn University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1955. He began his engineering career with the Chemstrand Corporation in Decatur. In 1956, he accepted a position with the U.S. Army's Ballistic Missile Agency at Redstone Arsenal. From there, he transferred to the Marshall Space Flight Center in 1959, prior to its formal establishment in 1960. At the MSFC he contributed to the design of several early space projects that virtually spanned America's entire spaceflight program. These included early earth satellites, lunar spacecraft, and unmanned space probes and launch vehicles.

Odom's 40 year career in the space program included four very significant engineering projects: the Apollo Program, the International Space Station, the Space Shuttle Program, and the Hubble Space Telescope. As a leader in each of these programs, Odom made significant contributions to the state of Alabama, the nation, and the world.

In 1989 Mr. Odom retired from NASA and became president and CEO of Applied Research in Huntsville, Alabama. When the company was acquired by SAIC in 1994, he served as Senior Vice President and consultant for 20 years.

In recognition of his contributions, Odom has received numerous awards, including the two highest given to civil servants. President Reagan presented to him the Rank of Distinguished Executive in 1988 for "sustained extraordinary accomplishments in the management of programs and for leadership exemplifying the highest standards of service to the public.” He also received the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive in recognition of the significant advances made under his leadership and initiatives in strengthening and shaping the nation's future posture in space. He was the recipient of the NASA Exceptional Service medal and NASA Distinguished Service medal. Odom was inducted into the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame in 1998. For many years, he served as a member of the Auburn University Engineering Council and the Auburn University Research Council. He has an honorary doctorate from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Throughout his life, Odom loved and served his church and community. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for many years and was awarded the honor of Deacon Emeritus in 2024. Odom was a member of the Decatur Rotary Club, and received the Rotary Club Citizen of the Year award in 2014. He was also named a Community Paul Harris Fellow. In 2018 he received the Spirit of America Audie Murphy Patriotism Award and in 2023 was named to the Morgan County Leadership Hall of Fame. Odom was also the recipient of the Decatur-Morgan Hospital Foundation Caddell-Grisham Award. In addition, he served as president of the River City Kiwanis Club.

A public visitation is scheduled 12 – 1:45 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist of Decatur on Wednesday, September 10. A service will follow at 2 p.m. Pallbearers include Odom’s grandsons, Dr. William Sims, Bradley Cartwright, and Thomas House. Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church Acts 1:8 and Decatur-Morgan Hospital Foundation. Roselawn Funeral Home is assisting the family.