Larry Dean Odelius

Larry Odelius was born in Rockford, Illinois, to Judith Nelson and David LeRoy Odelius on July 30, 1937. His mother died during his birth, and LeRoy, unable to work and care for a newborn child as a single parent, sent Larry to live with Judith’s family. Larry spent the first seven years of his life on the Nelson farm in Milaca, Minnesota, surrounded by his mother’s loving family. In later years, he would attend Nelson family gatherings and wholly enjoy spending time with the family of the mother he never had the opportunity to know.

When Larry was seven years old, his father married Gladys E. V. Olson and brought Larry home to Rockford. Gladys quickly embraced her role as mother of a young child, encouraging and developing Larry’s steadfast belief that service to God and Jesus Christ should be at the center of his life. His early Christian education took place at the First Evangelical Free Church of Rockford.

In 1955, Larry graduated from Rockford East High School. An abiding interest in cars and all things mechanical drew him to study mechanical engineering at Indiana Tech, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in three years. Returning to Rockford, Larry worked entry level drafting and technical jobs until he was drafted into the Army.

Before entering the service, though, Larry met someone who would change the course of his life. On a Sunday School exchange visit to the Evangelical Free Church of Wheaton, Illinois, Larry met Anna Marie Franer, a music student at Wheaton College. Anna was from Houston, Texas, full of life and personality, and captured Larry’s attention as no one else had before. But in 1961, Larry was drafted and, at least at first, it seemed that other things might have to be put on hold.

However, God had a plan for Larry and Anna. Larry’s mechanical engineering degree and experience provided an opportunity for him to serve in an engineering position in Arlington, Virginia after completing basic training. The position allowed Larry time and flexibility to continue seeing Anna, who moved to nearby Maryland after graduation to teach junior high school music. Over his two year assignment at Arlington Hall, Larry would contribute to the development of the forerunner of modern global positioning systems (GPS), for use in tracking troop movements during ground operations. Larry was honorably discharged from the Army in 1963. On July 13 of that year, he married Anna and they moved to Houston, Texas.

Larry found employment in Houston with Cameron Iron Works in the Ball Valve Division. His expertise was rewarded with advancement to supervisory roles; throughout his long career, he survived more than one round of the layoffs that were common in the oil industry. In the 1980s, Larry transferred to Cameron’s Controls Division, where he flourished as an engineer and manager and earned a patent for his work.

In 1969, Larry and Ann Odelius adopted a son, Dwight Nelson Odelius who was the pride and delight of their lives. During the 1960s and 70s they were active in the leadership of Young Life and were members first of Spring Branch Community Church and later South Main Baptist Church in Houston. Larry greatly enjoyed live musical theater, and always sought out opportunities to share these experiences with his music-loving wife and son. Larry and Ann also took every opportunity to travel throughout the course of their 58-year marriage. They visited many destinations in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean. Larry, who had loved the outdoors since childhood, often took his family camping, skiing, scuba diving, and fishing.

Larry retired from Cameron in 2002, after 39 years of service. He and Ann moved from Houston to live on Lake Conroe. They joined First Baptist Church of Conroe and enjoyed Sunday school in the Uplifters Life Group. Through the church, Larry became active with Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity and served as a project leader in building several houses. In 2011, Larry learned of Samaritan’s Purse, a charitable organization headed by Franklin Graham, and in particular the Operation Christmas Child initiative, which directs charitable giving to help children in impoverished nations understand Christ’s love. Larry became the Montgomery County North Area Coordinator, visiting churches and groups to discuss the OCC shoe box ministry and its goals for sharing the gospel of Jesus with children around the world. He was privileged in 2019 to travel to Namibia and witness firsthand the OCC ministry in action.

Larry Odelius was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, his son and daughter-in-law Dwight and Laura Odelius, and his twin grandsons Alexander and Daniel Odelius. His loving family also includes his brothers-in-law Tim Franer and Jim Franer, their wives Jani Franer and Susan Franer, and his nieces and nephews: Heather Franer and family, Heath Franer and family, Josh Franer, and Cassie Franer.

Larry’s ashes will be committed at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Houston, Texas. A memorial celebration of his life will take place on March 13, at 1:00pm CST at First Baptist Church of Conroe, Texas. Attendance is limited due to pandemic restrictions; however, the service will be available for online streaming at:

http://www.fbcconroe.org/livestream

Memorial gifts, if desired, can be made in his name to Samaritan’s Purse at the following website:

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/larry-odelius-conroe-tx/

Gifts may also be sent by mail to Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Please identify the gift as “In Memory of Larry Odelius”.

To God Be The Glory!