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Submitted: 7/7/22 • Approved: 7/12/22 • Last Updated: 7/15/22 • R377088-G0-S3
October 7, 1932 - January 8, 2014
LAFAYETTE - James Calhoun Odom, MD, a Lafayette physician and former Naval Aviator died at home Wednesday, January 8. He was 81.
James Calhoun Odom was born in Oakdale, Louisiana, October 7, 1932. He was a graduate of Oakdale High School, Class of 1951. He attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) and received his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in 1964. The following year, he interned at New Orleans Charity Hospital. He completed a Residency in Dermatology at LSU in 1968, and a Teaching Fellowship in Dermatology at LSU in 1969.
Dr Odom practiced Dermatology in the Lafayette area for 44 years, first with the Lafayette Medical and Surgical Group (now Hamilton Medical Group) and later in private practice. Throughout this same period, he also served as a Clinical Instructor in Dermatology at University Medical Center in Lafayette. Dr Odom was a member of the Lafayette Parish Medical Society, the Louisiana State Medical Society, Louisiana Dermatological Society, and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Prior to his medical career, Dr Odom served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1959 as a Naval Aviator and flight instructor at Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. A special memory of his Naval career was his carrier qualification landing on the USS Saipan.
Dr Odom was active in the local community, including leadership positions with the Salvation Army Board of Directors, United Givers Fund (Chairman of the Medical Division), Ascension Day School Board of Directors, Lafayette High School Parent Teacher Committee, Woodvale Elementary Parent Teacher Association, and the Episcopal School of Acadiana Development Council (Special Gifts Chairman).
For many years, Dr Odom was an active member of the Lafayette Rotary Club. He enjoyed singing in the Episcopal Church of the Ascension choir and other choral groups, a highlight of which was a group performance at Carnegie Hall. He treasured his time spent with friends and family at Old River in Pointe Coupee Parish. Throughout his life Dr Odom was known for his sense of humor and his love for practical jokes. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Martha Tolley Davis Odom of Lafayette; children, James Calhoun Odom Jr and wife Suzanne of Alexandria, Virginia, Tolley Cade Odom Cheshire and husband Dave of Pueblo West, Colorado, Catherine Nash Odom Pankey and husband Tom of Mountain Brook, Alabama, Michael Morse Odom and wife Brooke of Biloxi, Mississippi; and grandchildren Caroline and James Odom, Cole and Erin Cheshire, Maddox, William and John Pankey, and Martha and Margaret Odom.
He was preceded in death by parents William Albert Odom and Katie Belle Nash Odom, siblings, W A Odom Jr, Troy Odom and Marian Odom Knight, as well as his wife's parents Frank H (Happy) Davis Sr and Tolley Cook Davis.
The Odom family would like to express their appreciation to Michael Alexander, MD, John Mickey, MD, the staff of Lafayette General Hospital, Pelican Pointe Healthcare & Rehabilitation, Hospice of Acadiana, Leading Healthcare, and the many other medical professionals and friends who provided special care to them.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, January 11, at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension. The Reverend Dr Duane E Petersen will be celebrant of the mass. The Reverend F Hampton Davis, nephew of Dr Odom and pastor of Our Lady, Queen of Peace will be participating in the service. A private burial at the Lafayette Protestant Cemetery will follow.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension on Saturday, January 11 from 11:00 am to the time of service.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr Larry Baker, Bob Barras, Dr Beau Burch, Hammy Davis, Taylor Davis, Pat Juneau, John Knight Sr, Neil O'Keefe and Dick Wild.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in the name of Dr James C Odom to Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 1030 Johnston Street, Lafayette, 70501; Our Lady, Queen of Peace Building Fund, P O Box 90740, Lafayette, 70509; Hospice of Acadiana, Suite 200, 2600 Johnston Street, Lafayette, 70503 or the donor's preferred charity.
Contributed on 7/7/22 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 377088