Paul Van Odom

Paul was born on April 5, 1958, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to Travis and Bette Odom. The son of an American Airlines pilot, Paul moved often during his childhood, shaping his adaptability, steady work ethic, and appreciation for people from all walks of life. Paul earned the rank of Eagle Scout—something he rarely spoke about, but something that quietly influenced the way he lived: dependable, service-minded, and committed to doing things the right way. He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1976.

Paul began dating Susie Bottlinger in 1978, and after their first date, they knew they would be married. In 1980, Paul married the love of his life in Hamilton, Texas. Best friends and true partners in everything, they built a life, family, and legacy grounded in hard work, integrity, and service.

Paul began his career in masonry as a laborer and worked his way up through apprenticeship, management, and estimating—learning from those around him and earning respect through determination and humility. In 1987, he and Susie founded P and S Masonry, growing it into a company known across Central Texas for quality craftsmanship, safety, and a culture that treated employees like family. Their motto, “Our employees make the difference,” was not just a slogan, but a belief Paul lived by every day.

Paul was deeply committed to strengthening the masonry industry. He was a founding member of the Central Texas Masonry Contractors Association and served multiple terms as president of both CTMCA and the Texas Masonry Council. He also served on the executive board of the Mason Contractors Association of America, ultimately becoming Chairman in 2018–2019. Paul believed you should never stop learning from others, and he invested time and energy into education, workforce development, and mentorship throughout the state and nation. In recognition of his lifelong contributions, Paul was inducted into the Masonry Hall of Fame and the Texas Masonry Hall of Fame, honors he accepted with characteristic humility.

A true family businessman, Paul worked together with Susie to help guide the next generation. In 2013, they helped start Spec Rents in Hamilton, providing equipment and safety solutions for major projects across Texas. He was proud of the business and the way it was built—working hard, treating people right, and doing things the right way. In June 2014, P and S Masonry partnered with Brazos Masonry to form Legacy Masonry, where Paul and Susie stayed active until they both retired in 2022. Legacy has since concluded, but Paul’s legacy in the masonry industry lives on through Spec Rents—a family business he loved.

Paul and Susie’s favorite thing to do together was travel. Together, they traveled the world, checking off their bucket list. Between trips, Paul was happiest on the mower keeping the yard just the way he liked it, taking long walks with Sammy, and lending a hand at the flower shop.

Paul’s craftsmanship extended beyond masonry. He was also a gifted carpenter, the kind of man who could build with his hands and make it look effortless—always finding satisfaction in creating something solid, useful, and lasting.

Beyond his work, Paul was a man of strong faith and steady service. He was baptized as an infant in Oklahoma and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in adulthood. He served as an elder at St. John and, alongside Susie, spent many years teaching Senior Youth Sunday School and leading the Senior Youth group—pouring into teenagers during the years their own children were growing up. He also served his community as a school board member for Hamilton ISD. Known for his kindness, generosity, and sense of humor, Paul lived by the belief that “it’s always right to do the right thing,” even when it wasn’t the easiest path.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife, Susie Odom; his children Elizabeth Graves (husband Garen), Emilie Reeves (husband Brian), and Alexander Odom (fiancée Emily); and his grandchildren William Paul, Anna, Clara, Katherine, Harper, Cora, and baby boy Reeves expected in February. He is also survived by his sisters Karen Tyson (husband Lee Roy) and Lynn Roberts (husband Curtis); his brothers-in-law Clark Bottlinger (wife Nancy) and Brent Bottlinger (wife Sarah); and his sister-in-law Theresa Bottlinger. He is also survived by many friends, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and cousins who loved him dearly.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Travis and Bette Odom, Susie’s parents, Brian and Velma Jean Bottlinger, and his brother-in-law Mark Bottlinger.

A memorial service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Hamilton, Texas, on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM. Paul’s wish was to have a celebration of his life and the family invites friends to join them for dinner and drinks to celebrate his life at Wenzel Hall following the service.

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church Senior Youth National Youth Gathering—a ministry Paul felt deeply passionate about—or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Paul will be remembered as a leader, mentor, craftsman, and friend—a man who quietly set the bar high and helped countless others reach it. His legacy lives on in the structures he helped build, the people he mentored, the faith he lived, and the family who will forever carry his values forward.