Frankie Lynn O'Dell
February 7, 1945 ~ February 9, 2025
Born in:
Hughes Springs , Texas
Resided in:
Hughes Springs , Texas
Funeral services for Mr. Frankie Lynn O’Dell, age 80, will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2025, in the chapel of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs. Burial will follow at Veal Switch Cemetery with Military Honors, under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs. There will be a time of visitation beginning one hour prior to service time Thursday at the funeral home. Mr. O’Dell passed away Sunday, February 9, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Frankie Lynn O’Dell was born to Frank and Maureen O’Dell on February 7, 1945, in Hughes Springs, Texas. Raised as a farmer’s son, he learned the values of hard work and dedication from an early age. He attended school and graduated from Daingerfield High School. When he wasn’t in class, he was either helping out on the farm or playing his favorite game, baseball. Over the past few years, Frankie often reminisced about his days on the field, sharing stories that brought him great joy.
Frankie attended Kilgore College until 1967, when he was drafted into the Army. He served his country as a military policeman in Vietnam, alongside his loyal dog, Poky. Though he didn’t speak much about his time in Vietnam, the horrors he witnessed, or the fear he felt, his family saw the impact in the form of nightmares and sleepwalking. He was proud to have served his country, but he also became a prime example of the lasting effects of PTSD.
After leaving Vietnam in late 1968, Frankie continued his service in the Army until 1973. During this time, he met and married Mattie Jones, with whom he had two daughters, Angela and Melanie. Despite his efforts to keep the marriage together, he and Mattie divorced after a few short years.
In 1976, Frankie met Nancy Norwood at Gibson’s Hardware, and the two quickly became inseparable. They went on to share 45 years of marriage until Nancy’s passing two years ago. Frankie was a devoted husband, standing by Nancy’s side as her caregiver through years of physical and mental health struggles. His loyalty, commitment, and compassion were unwavering—he was truly a saint in the eyes of those who knew him.
A dedicated member of the Chuckwagon Cowboy Church in Hughes Springs, Frankie served as an elder and was actively involved in the church community. He cherished his church family and found joy in bringing his horses to playdays, where the children could ride. His sense of humor was one of his defining traits. He loved to tease and joke with his loved ones, convinced he was a comedian.
Frankie worked hard throughout his life, holding labor-intensive jobs at Friedman and Reilly Industries while also working part-time as a real estate agent. When he wasn’t working, he could often be found in his workshop, creating beautiful woodwork, or tending to his farm, caring for his cows and garden. An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing. He also made sure his daughters were self-sufficient, teaching them how to work on a car, shingle a roof, lay tile, and maintain a garden and lawn. Along with these life skills, he may have also passed down his stubborn streak.
Frankie was an honorable man in every sense of the word. His pranks, his silly sense of humor, and his deep, unwavering love for his family will keep his memory alive in those who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy O’Dell; his parents; his granddaughter, Amber Smoak; and his sister-in-law, Denise O’Dell.
He is survived by his daughters, Angela O’Dell Morris and her husband, Jeff Morris, and Melanie O’Dell Martin and Michael Phillips; his grandchildren, Will Smoak, Brady Neely and his wife, Bryn, Camden Fry, and Jaden Morris; his great-grandchildren, Jax Pilgrim and Kendall, Emma Kate, and Livvy Neely; his brother, John O’Dell; his sister, Linda Walker, and her husband, Billy; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.
Services
Funeral Ceremony: February 13, 2025 2:00 pm
Reeder-Davis Funeral Home - Hughes Springs
1213 Hanes Blvd. South
Hughes Springs, Texas 75656
(903) 639-2585
https://www.reeder-davis.com/
Visitation: February 13, 2025 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Reeder-Davis Funeral Home - Hughes Springs
1213 Hanes Blvd. South
Hughes Springs, Texas 75656
(903) 639-2585
https://www.reeder-davis.com/
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My late husband knew Mr. O’Dell. He thought alot of him. Sorry for your loss.
Angie and Mel so sorry to hear about your dad. Prayers for y’all.love you both.