Ray K. O’Dell passed away peacefully at his home with family and friends on January 20, 2021 to the playing of Taps during the Inauguration of President Biden. Ray was born on June 24, 1925 in a small house near the intersection of Taylors Ferry and Boones Ferry Roads. He had seven brothers and three sisters, and it is still a mystery where they all slept in that small house.
Ray began his education at Capitol Hill School, where he later taught for 12 years. He attended Lincoln High School for one year, eventually graduating from Lincoln in 1947 by way of the GED tests. He attended Lewis and Clark College receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education in 1950 and 1951.
As part of the “Greatest Generation”, Ray served in the Army with the Combat Engineers during WWII. He was wounded in 1944 while dismantling a tank trap in Belgium and was awarded the Purple Heart medal. His treatment at Barnes General Hospital in Vancouver allowed him to meet Shirley Thomas, the love of his life. They married July 2, 1946 and were inseparable until Shirley’s death in 2016, just shy of their 70th wedding anniversary.
Ray began teaching in 1951, became a principal in 1968 and served in several schools throughout Portland Public Schools, ending his career at Maplewood School in 1985 after 34 years. One of the highlights of Ray’s career was serving as the first President of the Portland Elementary Teachers’ Association.
Shirley and Ray joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in 1954 and remained faithful members of the congregation until his passing. Ray served in several offices including Chairman of the Congregation, Elder and Trustee.
The O’Dell’s had four children: Dennis and Laura- both deceased. Surviving children, Steve and David, gave them 8 loving grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Ray felt so blessed that during his last days on earth, David and wife Debi and their children came to visit every Wednesday and Saturday, doing chores and bringing food. And Steve and his wife Hilary were able to live with and care for him in his home for nearly 5 months in the summer of 2020.
Ray will be interred at Willamette National Cemetery with Shirley and daughter Laura. A memorial service will be held once COVID restrictions allow. The family suggests remembrances be given in honor of Ray to Meals on Wheels People, where Ray and Shirley volunteered for more than 30 years.
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