Vernon F. O'Dell Jr.

V. F O’Dell, Jr. was born in Clifton Hill, Missouri on November 21, 1928, to Mary Emelia McLean and Vernon F. O’Dell, Sr. Due to health issues with his father, he and his mother lived with various family members during his early school years. He graduated from Orrick Mo High School in 1946. He met his wife Myra during his senior year there. He attended the University of Kansas City and then went on to the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine. His son Steve was born in Kansas City in 1953. They moved to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1954 and Vernon set up his medical practices with Harral Haven. A daughter Cindy was born in 1957.

Vernon enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding ATV’s in Western Colorado. The family raised and showed quarter horses. He and Myra traveled extensively with their travel trailer. He loved the practice of medicine and believed in “doing the right thing” always. He was a historian of WWII.

He is preceded in death by his wife Myra. Survivors include son Steve O’Dell (Gina), daughter Cindy Buller (Steve), 7 grand kids, and 16 great grandkids.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday March 4th at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation in Vernon’s name be made to HopeWest Hospice.