Robert Odom Jr.

Robert Ray Odom Jr., 89, of 81 Forest Oaks Way, died Friday, January 28, 2011 at White Oak Estates. Born December 1, 1921 in Bennettsville, SC, he was the son of the late Robert Ray Sr. and Ruth Weatherly Odom. He was first married to the late Mary Les (Betsy) Betts Odom and then to the late Sara Lee Learned Odom. Mr. Odom was a graduate of Wofford College and a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his military service, he studied law under the supervision of his late uncle, L. A. Odom and retired from the law firm of Odom, Terry and Cantrell. He was a member of the Spartanburg County Bar Association, of which he was president in 1980, the South Carolina Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He was president of Odom, Inc. (formerly Odom Oil Company), past-president of Odom Transport, Inc., and a Director and Secretary of Associated Petroleum Carriers. For some 50 years, he was a Director of First Federal Savings and Loan Association and was also a past Chairman of the Board of Directors. A member of Bethel United Methodist Church, he served as a Trustee, Chairman of the Administrative Board, Chairman of the Council on Ministries, Chairman of the Pastor-Parish Committee, and taught Sunday School for over 40 years. He was also past-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Spartanburg Chapter of the American Red Cross and past-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mountainview Nursing Home. He was also a member of the Spartanburg Rotary Club for over 50 years. Survivors include his daughter-in-law Nancy R. Odom; two grandsons, Chad Odom and his wife Lisa and great-grandson Christopher Archer Odom of Simpsonville, SC, and Robbie Odom and his wife Mayumi of Atlanta, GA; children of Sara Lee Odom: two daughters, Lauren Jo Rojas of Burien, WA, and Heather Learned of Des Moines, WA; two sons, Scott Learned of Whidbey Island, WA, and Jeffrey Learned of Mt. Vernon, WA; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Robert L. Odom, a brother, Brooks Odom, and a sister, Sara Francis Knight. Visitation will be 3:15-4:00 PM Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Complex and also following the service at the home. Cryptside services will follow at 4:00 PM, conducted by the Rev. David E. Nichols. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, Trustee Fund, 245 S. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. The family is at the home. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert Ray Odom Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.