Harry Wayne Odom

Harry Wayne Odom, age 96, of Antioch, TN, went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ peacefully in the presence of his family on Saturday, June 6, 2026. He was born in Rutherford County, TN on March 19, 1930 and grew up in Smyrna, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents Guy Leburn Odom and Gladys Lora (Robinson) Odom, his wife of 47 years Mary (Anderson) Odom, his son Michael Dwayne Odom, his sisters Irene (Odom) Keys, Janelle (Odom) Reeder, Loyce (Odom) Adkerson, and Cornelia (Odom) Stewart and his brothers Eugene Odom, Neal Odom, Kenneth Odom, and Leonard Odom.

Harry (as he was known by friends and family later in life) or Wayne (as he was known by family and friends in his early years) was a dedicated family member and friend known for his signature greeting of “hello, hello” and goodbye ending of “over and out.” He enlisted in the U.S. Navy following graduation from Smyrna High School in 1948 and served on the destroyer USS Johnston as a disbursing clerk and a coxswain, traveling to many ports in the eastern US, Caribbean, and Europe. After completing naval service, Harry Wayne returned home and enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University, earning a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. After graduation, he was hired by Travelers Insurance Company as a Field Auditor and began a 37 year career with Travelers and later Citigroup, working at both the Nashville and Memphis offices and traveling to client locations across many Southeast states.

Harry Wayne was a long-time member of Parkway Baptist Church in Smyrna, TN. He enjoyed golf (making at least two holes-in-one during his playing years), playing cards (pinochle was his favorite), tying working and fancy knots and teaching them to many Boy Scouts over the years, investing in stocks (making his last stock trade the day before he went into hospital), teaching financial principles and wisdom to his family and many friends, line dancing, exchanging jokes and solving puzzles.

Harry Wayne is survived by his son, John Odom and his wife Carla, grand-daughters Lauren (Odom) Rathe and her husband Tyler, and Leigha Odom, sister Juanice (Odom) Winchester and her husband Jim and many nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Ln., Nashville, TN 37204.

Gathering will resume the following day, Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 9:00am at the same location. The celebration of life service will follow beginning at 10:00am followed by burial in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Mur-ci Homes in Mr. Odom's name. Information for how to donate is listed below.