Mr. Joseph Thomas Heflin Odom, Sr., a longtime resident of Fairhope, Alabama was born October 4, 1927 in Bon Secour, Alabama. He was 94 when he passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 15, 2022.
Mr. Odom served in the Korean Conflict and served with the National Guard for 40 years. He retired as Administrator of Fort Riel Armory after 36 years. He then started a second career as a Chief Fire Safety Inspector for the City of Fairhope for 31 years. He was active with the Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department for 41 years and served as Fire Chief in 1963 and 1964. He was an officer in the Baldwin County Fire Chiefs Association for 15 years. Mr. Odom was an active member of Fairhope Elks Lodge, the Fairhope Yacht Club, the American Legion, the V.F.W. and a member of the Mobile Mystic Society. He was a member of Fairhope United Methodist Church for worship.
Mr. Odom is preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Shirley Ann; parents, Maudie & JJ Odom; sisters, Ester Stafford, Mayola Crow and brothers, Steve, Morgan, and Don Odom.
He is survived by two sons, Steve Odom and Tom (Lea) Odom, Jr.; daughter, Karla (Tim) Kant, all of Fairhope; five grandchildren, Krista Leah Kant, Kari Ann Kant, Michael Steven Odom, Jack Edmondson Odom and Mallory Grace Odom; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope chapel on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral services were held at Fairhope United Methodist Church on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 10 a.m.
The family would like to thank Michele McKee, caregiver, for her loving care and help.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Shepherd’s Place Fairhope United Methodist Church, 155 South Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama, 36532 or the Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department at www.fairhopevfd.org.
