Wesley Wayne Odell

Born on April 17, 1949 in Gorman, Texas, Wesley Wayne Odell died on January 20, 2012 at Abilene Regional Medical Center. Wes grew up near Moran with his family on the McCollum Family Farm. At the age of sixteen he moved to Hurst, Texas to attend LD Bell High School. After graduating from LD Bell, Wes attended Baylor University where he received a dual Bachelor's Degree in English and Mathematics in three years. Wes moved to Abilene in 1970 and began teaching English at Madison Junior High School. After three years at Madison, he transferred to Abilene High School where he taught English, served as the sponsor for the Varsity Cheerleaders and Eagle Squad and taught the Junior level Humanities Class which melded American History and English. Through this course, students were able to travel the area enabling them to learn about and write historical accounts of local individuals. Mr. Odell treasured the years he spent teaching at Abilene High and frequently reminisced about both his students and colleagues. In 1980, Wes and his former wife, LeMoyne, opened Child's Play, a specialty toy store originally located in the Rose Park Shopping Center. Child's Play was open for twenty years and Wes found great delight in bringing joy to many families through the store. Wes returned to teaching at Travis Opportunity Center in 1996 and most recently he taught English at Excel High School, part of the Woodson Center for Excellence. Wes was a commended and loved educator, receiving the Spotlight on Teacher Award for Woodson in 2009. A tutor for the past fifteen years at the Ben Richey Boys Ranch, Wes provided educational and life guidance to the young men of the Boys Ranch. He cherished his time there and truly loved everyone affiliated with the Ranch. Wes used his talent as a teacher to encourage and positively influence the young men at Ben Richey. Wes was known for his kindness, his quick wit and his sense of humor. He touched many lives of students by being a master teacher who was creative, caring and innovative. He could always find a way to reach a student and help them understand concepts as well as increase their self esteem and enjoyment of learning. Wes was preceded in death by his mother, Helen McCollum, his father Clarence Odell, his step father, Clovis McCollum and his brother, Ross Odell. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lauren Odell Montgomery and Eric Montgomery, his former wife, LeMoyne Odell, his daughter, Ketrin McKeegan, his brother, Brad McCollum, one granddaughter, Bria McKeegan, his brother and sister-in- law, Cindy and Mike Farley, and many beloved friends and colleagues. A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 23 at 10:30 in the morning at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal at 602 Meander Street in Abilene. There will be a reception immediately following in the Church Parish Hall. Arrangements are by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Ben Richey Boys Ranch in memory of Wes Odell at P.O. Box 6839, Abilene, Texas 79608.