O'Dell Franklin Reynolds, affectionately referred to as "Odie" and "Chief" by family members, was called home by his Lord and Savior on November 7, 2018.
O'Dell was born on February 18, 1942, to Charles and Gladys (Welch) Reynolds in Syracuse, NY. He lived in several of the surrounding villages and was very active in 4-H during his youth. This was a passion that led to several ribbons and awards celebrating his accomplishments.
In 1960, O'Dell joined the U.S. Air Force. He began his career there as a parachute rigger, then avionics, and spent the last half of his career as a Shop Chief for the Field Maintenance Squadron. His career took him all over the country and around the world. Some of the places he was stationed during his career include South Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, South Dakota, Spain, the Philippines, Korea, Thailand, and Germany. O'Dell was also stationed in Vietnam on two different occasions. During O'Dell's long and distinguished career, he received numerous awards for his work and leadership. O'Dell retired from the Air Force in 1989, just shy of 30 years, at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, hence, the nickname Chief.
In 1991, O'Dell was hired on at the VA Medical Center at Ft. Meade, SD. He worked as a public servant for another 20+ years. Just before retiring, he was honored in a ceremony and presented an award for over 50 years of distinguished public service.
While stationed at Dyess AFB in Texas, he met and married the love of his life, Gayle Bolin. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, Gayle, going for drives, going for coffee, out to lunch or supper, building her flower boxes, or taking her to one of the area parks to sit and chat a spell. During their marriage, they had 2 daughters, Lori (Linco), and Angie (O'Dell). O'Dell was very family oriented and helped the girls out with the school, 4-H, and Girl Scout projects, sporting activities, and school activities. He was also known to be a little bit of a joker and pulling a laugh out of the girls or others, even when they might not have felt like laughing.
O'Dell (Grandpa) was always there when the grandkids needed him. O'Dell also was the father figure in their lives. All the grandsons agree that Grandpa's mentoring and influence play a big part in the men they are or are becoming. O'Dell loved to chat with Zachary about the military, martial arts, boxing, cars, and life in general; he loved helping Jordan with school, 4-H, and his Boy Scout projects, which Jordan went on to earn the honor of becoming an Eagle Scout; he loved to help out Victoria with her school projects, her 4-H projects, and trying to teach her to drive; and loved spending time with Keanu fishing, catching a movie, school and Boy Scout projects, and teaching him how to drive.
O'Dell was also a faithful steward of the Lord in his church. He attended the Sturgis Church of Christ until the summer of 2017, when he and Gayle decided to downsize and move to Spearfish to be closer to their kids and grandkids. Then, O'Dell and Gayle went to the Northern Hills Church of Christ between Spearfish and Belle Fourche.
Other activities O'Dell enjoyed was "tinkering" around the house, maintaining a park-like yard (in Sturgis especially), his garden, helping others, and helping to beautify his new neighborhood in Spearfish. He was always a man with a "mission," and you would be hard pressed to see him sit idle for any length of time. He was not a man of many words, unless you wanted to talk about the military experience or politics. If you brought up either topic, you better be prepared to talk for a while. (grin)
O'Dell is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Gayle, Spearfish; daughter, Lori, Rapid City; daughter, Angie, Spearfish; grandson, Zach, California; grandson, Jordan Reynolds, Spearfish; granddaughter, Victoria Reed, Wounded Knee; grandson, Keanu O'Dell, Spearfish; sister, Pauline Hofferberth and her family, New York; niece, Laurie Reynolds and her family, New York; his beloved dog, Chico (living with Lori since they moved); and his beloved cat, Riley Boots.
O'Dell is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Gladys Reynolds; his brothers, Charles and Albert Reynolds; his sister, Rosemary Reynolds; and his Uncle Willie and Aunt Leah Beekner, all of Upstate New York.
Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, at the Sturgis Church of Christ.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at the Sturgis Church of Christ with Minister Thomas Pruett officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
A memorial has been established to St. Jude's Hospital.

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