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(From Ozark Memorial Park Crematory)Marvin Keith “Red” O’Dell passed away on Saturday November 25, 2023, at St. Luke’s Nursing Center, Carthage, after a 9-month bout with skin cancer.
He was born October 6, 1957, in Carthage to Bill and Patty Moss O’Dell. He was a graduate of the Carthage High School Class of 1975. He graduated from Missouri Southern and attended Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Red was well known for his athletic ability. He played baseball beginning with the Pee Wee League and continued through Babe Ruth League and American Legion. He was always chosen for all stars. He mixed the sports up with adding the Junior Bowling League, football and basketball in junior high, baseball and basketball in high school.
Red joined the Missouri Southern Lions baseball team as a walk on and a pitcher before moving to center field. While playing for the Lions (1976-1979) he was NAIA All-American Honorable Mention, NAIA District16 All Star, NAIA Area 4 All Star, NAIA United States All Star Team that toured Taiwan and Korea (summer 1978). He was inducted to the Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009. Slow pitch softball came next and then golf. Sports was a major part of his life, and he was an intense competitor.
Red worked several years for the City of Carthage in the parks department, municipal golf course and the Fair Acres Sports Complex. He retired from Center Creek Golf Course, Sarcoxie. He took great pride in maintaining the parks, ball fields and golf courses.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include Marilyn Baugh, sister and Mark O’Dell, brother, both of Carthage; two nieces, Amanda (Bronson) Makeeff, and Charity (Brian) Bayless; two nephews, Blake (Laurie) O’Dell and Clay (Mica) O’Dell, great nieces and nephews, great-great nephews, along with several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Per Red’s request there will be now services.
I met Red when I ran the adult softball league in Carthage. When I was out dragging the field for the days games he would be out hitting softballs on his break. He was a hitting machine...Red would put out buckets in different areas in the out field and from hone place hit the buckets seemly on command. I just sat there in aww of his skills!! Beyond his Athletic abilities he was a better person! RIP Red you will be missed!!
ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry.He told me he didn’t have much time when I seen him at JOE BAUGHS celebration of life in OCTOBER.I guess he knew.He was so easy to talk to.Fabulous Athlete and a good guy.I WILL MISS HIM.PRAYERS FIR THE FAMILY.
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