Rayford “Ray” Franklin Odom, 84, of Macclenny died on April 20, 2012. He was born July 10, 1927 in Waverly, GA, the youngest of six children of John D. and Nona Currie Odom. He was a WWII veteran, serving at HQ CO 5th Army European Theater of Operations as a cryptographer. He moved to Macclenny in 1950, where he met and married his wife of 60 years, Joyce Jones Odom, in November 1952.
He opened Odom’s Department Store in 1950 and operated it for 36 years. Mr. Odom as managing partner, along with two others, purchased Pineview Golf and Country Club and Pineview Chevrolet Inc. in 1980. He owned and operated the dealership until 2009. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and Florida Gator fan, and a Gator Booster and Bull Gator for over a decade.Mr. Odom was a licensed real estate broker and appraiser, the executive director of Macclenny Housing Authority and contracting officer who built 84 units. He was also the chairman of the Macclenny Zoning Board for 18 years, a member of Dawkins Lodge #60 Free Mason of Macclenny, 32nd degree Scottish Rite member and the Moroccan Temple Shriners. He was also a member of American Legion, Macclenny Lions Club, NRA and Florida Farm Bureau.
Mr. Odom was preceded in death by brothers John D. Odom and William “Bill” (Mary Alice) Odom and sisters Katheryn (Bob) Odom Vaughn, Theresa Odom, and Gladys (Dave) Odom Davidson.
Survivors include children Benjamin Sumner Odom, Allison Odom-Williford and Alicia Odom-Hinte; grandchildren Lindsey (Joseph) Odom Vennard, Benjamin F. (Kayla) Odom, Sydney Williford, Caleb Williford, and Chase Hinte: great-grandson Joseph Corbin Vennard.
The funeral service was conducted at 11 am on Tuesday April 24 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Donnie E. Williams Sr. officiating. Interment followed at Woodlawn Cemetery, Macclenny. Guerry Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.