Herman Odell

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Herman Randolph “Randy” Odell, was born on August 12, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the third child born to Vivian Beatrice Odell (Crawford) and Howard Herman Odell. Randy accepted the Lord as a child, and his faith and prayer would remain an important part of his life throughout the years.

Randy was deeply devoted to his mother and his siblings, especially after the loss of his father when Randy was only two years old. His love for family was evident throughout his life and remained one of the greatest influences on the man he became.

Randy was educated in Chicago, attending Shoop Elementary School in Morgan Park, Illinois, and later Carver High School in Altgeld Gardens, Chicago, Illinois.

In 1965, at the age of 17, Randy voluntarily enlisted in the United States Navy on September 17, 1965. He was stationed in San Diego, California, and later went on to render valiant service during the Vietnam War. His military service gave him the opportunity to travel around the world, broaden his experiences, and expand his worldview.

Following his military service, Randy devoted nearly 30 years of his career to the Hines Veterans Administration, where he worked as a data processor. It was there that he met the love of his life, Barbara Hollins Jones.

Randy and Barbara were married on April 22, 1989. Their marriage created a blended family in which they both embraced one another’s children as their own. They shared a life filled with love, family, travel, and countless memories. Randy and Barbara especially loved traveling to family events, often taking road trips and train journeys.

Family was at the center of Randy’s world. He was the proud father of two daughters, Venus and Marcy Odell, and lovingly embraced his bonus children- Maurice, Toni, Andrea, and Terrence. He also raised his beloved grandsons, Marcus and Jahson, and took great pride in all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Randy was a “rock” to so many. He made it a point to stay abreast of what was happening in the lives of those he loved. He tried to attend every event he could.

Those who knew Randy will remember his infectious smile and his gift for storytelling. He could hold your attention with a good story and make you laugh along the way. He was also a true lover of good food, with a particular passion for barbecue. Randy even made his own delicious barbecue sauce, a reflection of the care and personality he brought to everything he enjoyed.

He was an unapologetic sports fanatic and a proud Chicago sports fan, cheering passionately for the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago Bulls. And if there was one sports debate Randy was unlikely to surrender, it was his firm belief that Michael Jordan was better than LeBron James. Beyond sports, Randy had a deep love of history and trains. He enjoyed learning, staying politically aware, and keeping up with what was happening in the world.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Vivian Beatrice Odell Williams (Crawford) and Howard Herman Odell; his brother, Lynn; his sister, Barbara E. Watson; and his beloved wife, Barbara Hollins Jones.

He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, Venus and Marcy Odell; bonus children Maurice, Toni, Andrea, and Terrence; grandsons Marcus and Jahson; siblings Reggie, Tanya, and Kevin; his close and dear nephew Stevie; and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family members, and dear friends.

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