O’Dell, David Earl

David Earl O’Dell was born Sept.13, 1935 to Edna and Earl O’Dell in Syracuse, NY. As a boy David owned a pet alligator, taught his dog to climb ladders, was a Boy Scout and loved camping. Playing Joseph in his bathrobe in a Christmas Pageant, his parents forever referred to him as “Little Joe”. He was intellectually gifted, graduating Nottingham High School at age 16 with a full scholarship to Syracuse University where he was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He later enlisted in the US Air Force, serving in the Strategic Air Command on special operations in Morocco. He was also navigator on many reconnaissance flights over the then USSR during the Cold War. Upon his return to the States, he was stationed in Topeka, Kansas where he met and married the late Constance (Connie) Jane Harris, mother of his beloved children, Darcy Ann O’Dell and Kent David O’Dell.

After he left the Air Force, he returned to Syracuse, completed his degree and went on to pursue a Masters in Comparative Religion at the University of Chicago. Displaying his often humorous and artistic tendencies, he sometimes enjoyed writing home solely in Egyptian hieroglyphics. His career took him to one of the biggest advertising agencies of the time in Dallas, Texas. He was one of the original “Mad Men”. Some of their clients were 20^th Century Fox, CBS and Walt Disney productions. David’s advertising vision for the legendary film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” was seen across the country. He also patented several concepts while working for Xerox here in Rochester.

David’s dry sense of humor led him to draw comic sketches and write both fiction and non-fiction stories. His account of taking a walk outside the walls of old Marrakesh and being shot at because he was mistaken for a French soldier was published in Reader’s Digest magazine. His broad base of knowledge was extensive and he proudly belonged to Mensa. History was a special interest of his and it informed his extensive geneaology work. He developed the O’Dell family tree back seven generations.  He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. During his research, he became friends with Baron Bernardo Quaranta di San Severino y Fusaro through their mutual interest in geneaology. Darcy and David traveled to Bedfordshire, England in 1980. They have a very proper and traditional High Tea with him and he accompanied them on a  tour of odell Castle. The Baron subsequently asked to “adopt” David as he was the last of his Quaranta line and very much desired to pass on the name. After much trans-Atlantic document sending and signing, David became Baron David EP O’Dell Quaranta di San Severino y Fusaro. Baron Bernardo also sponsored his entry into the Knights of Malta.  David delighted in reinstating the old tradition of paying the yearly fee to Odell Castle. As an Irish American, one of his fondest memories was visiting Irish Republican hero Wolfe Tone’s gravesite. He brought home a snippet of ivy from there and was able to propagate and grow it in his home. He enjoyed regaling listeners with  the story of where and how he obtained his ivy plant.  David very much enjoyed his 20 years teaching Advertising and Marketing at Rochester Institute of Technology. His students still speak of how much they enjoyed his classes.  In retirement, he got a kick from being called “Professor” at his banks and health care facilities in Carolina Shores, NC and Rochester NY. He played ukulele and banjo, loved all kinds of films, particularly those about WW II, the Civil War and Ireland. He was devoted to his geneaology research and made large binders as gifts to his children and sister with all the information he had uncovered during his more than 25 years of research. He loved Big Band, Dixie Land, traditional Irish music and his monthly subscription to National Geographic. He was a Freemason and former docent at the Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, NY .

David is survived by his wife Therese Bolling O’Dell, his children Darcy O’Dell and Kent (Tammy) O’Dell, his grandchildren Bryan (fiancée Gabrielle Lucivero) McIndoe and Katy McIndoe; Joseph (Bronwen) O’Dell, Shannon O’Dell (Dakota) Short and Danielle O’Dell. He was the proud great-grandfather of Levi and Delaney O’Dell. Additionally, he’s survived by his sister Heather (Will Scoggins) O’Dell.

David was a rare man. His family has been blessed by his grace, wisdom and kindness. His like is a dwindling breed and he will be sorely missed.

A memorial service will be held at 5 pm at Sunny’s Restaurant 2171 W. Henrietta Rd. Rochester 14623 Reception immediately following. This is Sat. Oct 29th.