Kenneth Andrew Odell, of Raton, New Mexico, beloved son, brother and friend, passed away on July 14, 2016, at 6:20 a.m. at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe, with his family at his side. He was 56 years old. He is now free of pain and suffering, and at peace with the Lord after many years of dealing with illness.
Ken was born in Miami, Oklahoma on February 4, 1960. In 1967, his family moved to northeastern Arizona where he spent his childhood and school years. After graduating from Ganado High School in 1978, he lived for many years in the Southwest as well as in New Hampshire. He attended Oklahoma Baptist University and Yavapai Community College, and worked mainly in food service/restaurant management. Some of the establishments where he worked included Fred Harvey at the Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon; the Good Egg in Phoenix; the Shaker Inn, The Anchorage, New London Inn, and Shorty’s Roadhouse in New Hampshire; and the Santa Fe Café in Raton. Ken worked most recently as an office manager for Atlas Energy in Raton.
Kenny loved reading and had an impressive collection of books, especially historical fiction, and his music collection was diverse and extensive. As a young man he played both piano and horns quite well.
He enjoyed watching professional tennis, and was an Oklahoma Thunder and Sooner fan. He liked to hike the trails around Lake Maloya, and also enjoyed drives out in the country to view the wildlife.
He was a wonderful “daddy” to his two “Boys” — dogs Gunther and Gideon, who are very sad and are missing him.
He was predeceased by his father, Albert (Andy) S. Odell Jr. and sister, Andrea Jeannette Odell.
Ken is survived by his mother, Doris Odell of Raton, sister Cynthia Odell of Waikoloa HI, brother Douglas Odell of Ardmore OK, nephew Matthew Odell (wife Jana and grand-nieces Lillie and Aurora), nephews Philip and Byron Staley, and niece Andrea Staley, as well as many dear relatives and friends.
Doris, Cindy and Doug would like to express their thankfulness for all the support and love shown to Ken and them during his illness, and now in their time of grieving: family and friends, the Family Worship Center, Debbie Trujillo and Flowerland, Ken’s workplace, the medical team at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Regional Cancer Center, and the American Cancer Society in Santa Fe. A special thank you to Ken’s good friend Mary Russell for helping take care of the “boys”.
The family is very thankful to God for the gift of Ken’s life, and the blessing of the time they had with him. Ken is already so greatly missed.
A gathering to celebrate and remember Ken will be held at Family Worship Center at 219 Kearney Avenue in Raton on Sunday afternoon, July 24, 2016. This will be an informal gathering, and friends and family are welcome to drop in anytime between 3:00 and 5:00 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ken’s honor to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, Gideons International, the Family Worship Center and/or the Raton Humane Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton.
