Jerry Tansil O'Dell

JONESBORO ---Jerry T. O’Dell, 78, of Paragould, AR/Oakland, CA died Monday, October 11, 2010, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.

Jerry was born in Tulsa, but grew up in Paragould graduating from Paragould High School and being a proud member of the Class A Championship Bulldog Football Team in 1948.

Following high school he attended ASU and the University of Missouri before entering the U.S. Navy Aviation Program as a young pilot in training in 1953, first stationed in Beeville, TX.

Over the span of his 22-year naval career, he assumed command posts all over the world flying every jet aircraft model ever manufactured during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After completing extended tours of duty in the Philippines, stationed on the carriers Midway, Kitty Hawk and Randolph, he retired as a Lieutenant Commander to Oakland, CA in 1973. Soon after in 1974-75, upon request, he was brought out of retirement to train a new generation of aspiring aviators.

During retirement, Jerry earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History at California State University, Hayward, and enjoyed many hobbies including: hang-gliding, writing poetry, recording music, chess and playing tournament bridge, in which he was recognized as a Life Master by the American Contract Bridge League.

Also active in his Bay Area community, Jerry was a member of the Oakland Museum Association, serving regularly as a volunteer docent, as well as being a member of the University of CA Alumni Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Conservatory Theatre and a booster member for the Oakland Symphony Orchestra.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Bill O’Dell and Marjorie Childs (Justice), and by his stepfather, Jack Justice and younger half-brother Jack Justice, Jr.

Survivors include his partner of 17 years Cynthia Wood of Bolinas, CA, his daughter, Ann O’Dell and two grandchildren, Enzo and Elena Bertolotti, from New York City, and his sister, Margot Ramsey of Memphis, TN.

No memorial service will be held, but for lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to Public Television Media: AETN Foundation Membership Services, P. O. Box 1250, Conway, AR 72033/www.aetn.org.