Austin Odom
Austin Earl Odom of Union City passed away on May 16, 2024, at 97 years of age, surrounded by his family.
Austin grew up in Mason Hall and moved to Union City in 1954. He was the youngest son of Walter and Hessie Odom. He graduated from Mason Hall High School in May 1945 and immediately joined the Army, where he served in WWII until the end of the war. He was one of the last surviving WWII veterans in Obion County.
He married Elaine Lucas Odom on Sept. 10, 1954.
He worked as a tool and die maker at American Metals, later Lear Siegler. He left Lear Siegler, taking advantage of the arrival of Goodyear to Union City. He retired from Goodyear after 20 years. He always valued his childhood friends, friends from work, family, a good tomato and functional remote. He was a man who loved to tinker with his tools in his yard and home, skillfully tending to what needed fixing. He was a mister fix-it man with the mind of an engineer. From a young age, he assumed responsibility which would be a lifelong value of his. He was resilient and knew how to stay in his own lane.
Austin is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Elaine Lucas Odom; and three daughters, Amy Carol Hoffman (James) of Norman, Okla., Karen Lynne Odom of Old Hickory and Leigh Ann Pratt of Hermitage; and grandchildren, Addison Pratt of Nashville, Maya Hoffman of Norman and Justin Hoffman of St. Hedwig, Texas. He was predeceased by his brother, Samuel Odom; and sister, Grace Odom Vaughn.
The funeral was at White-Ranson Funeral Home on Saturday, May 18, at 3 p.m. Visitation was from 2-3 p.m. Burial followed at Mason Hall Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be sent to Mason Hall Cemetery Association at 426 Tyson Store-Mason Hall Road, Kenton, TN 38233 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Published in The Messenger on 5.22.24