March 2, 1933-June 26, 2004

UMATILLA – A memorial service for Arthur G. “Art” O’Dell will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 1, at the Hermiston First Christian Church, 775 W. Highland Ave., with private inurnment at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Umatilla.

Mr. O’Dell, 71, of Umatilla, an area resident for 32 years, died Saturday, June 26, 2004, at his home.

He was born March 2, 1933, at Odessa, Wash., to James and Mary Huck O’Dell. He grew up and attended school at Odessa.

Mr. O’Dell served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He later moved to Moses Lake, Wash., where he was employed by Standard Oil for nine years. He worked for Phillips Oil at Quincy, Wash., for nine years then moved to Hermiston where he was employed as a field mechanic for Lamb Weston for 25 years. Mr. O’Dell retired in 1998.

On Feb. 16, 1973, he married Doris Albright at Hermiston.

He was a member of the First Christian Church at Hermiston.

It was said he had a great sense of humor and that he enjoyed life. He enjoyed joking with those around him and delighted in harassing others and being harassed. Mr. O’Dell loved all animals and he enjoyed watching and feeding the neighborhood birds. He loved to feel a good tug on his fishing line and shared this joy with his family. He had fun playing games, he enjoyed crossword puzzles, was a good cribbage player and could add the score faster than most anyone he played with. He was a member of a local bowling team for many years and although he did not bowl a perfect game he had fun trying. He enjoyed fresh raspberries from his garden and fresh fruit from his trees and the chocolate chip cookies he made were excellent, but didn’t seem to last long.

Survivors include his wife and best friend of 32 years, Doris O’Dell of Umatilla; sons, James O’Dell of East Wenatchee, Wash., Michael O’Dell of Wenatchee, Wash., and Michael Albright of Hermiston.; daughters, Patricia Schmidt of Nampa, Idaho, Jo Anne Schiffner of Salem, and Janet Detwiler of Umatilla; 12 grandchildren; one great grandson, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mr. O’Dell was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, sisters: Belle Cornwell and Bertie Weber, and brother, James O’Dell.

Memorial contributions may be made to Vange John Memorial Hospice 645 W. Orchard, Suite 6, Hermiston, OR 97838.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of arrangements.