Robert Neal Odom

Funeral services for Robert Neal Odom, 93, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Bobby Hollis and Ervin Ramirez officiating. Interment will follow in the Whitehouse Cemetery.

Mr. Odom was born on March 26, 1931, in Weldon, Texas to James Isaac and Jenny (Little) Odom. He took the hand of his Lord and Savior Saturday, December 21, 2024, after his battle with dementia.

Mr. Odom enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 21 before he could be drafted and served his country for four years. His favorite Navy story to tell was how he lived inside a volcano with walls 2700 ft high while stationed in Hawaii. He also swam on Christmas Day in Hawaii but couldn’t get anyone to join him. Mr. Odom married DeLois Sunday Odom in Willis, Texas, March 1,1958. He retired from the Texas Department of Transportation in Houston in 1990 after 33 years of service. After DeLois retired in 1997, they moved to Lukin, Texas. He spent most of his time doing what he loved, woodworking, painting and working in the yard. Mr. Odom loved his family and spoke about his brothers and sisters often. He always enjoyed visits and phone calls from friends and family and would always end the visit saying, “I’ll be looking for you”.

Mr. Odom is preceded in death by his parents, James Isaac and Jenny (Little) Odom; wife, DeLois (Sunday) Odom; son-in-law, William Allen Long; brothers, Lewis Odom, Delbert Odom, Arthu Odom, Carlton Odom, Ralph Odom, Nolan Odom, and Odell Odom; sisters, Ruby Pullen, Gladys Goates and Lillie Mae Luce. Mr. Odom is survived by his children, Jerry Odom of Huntsville, TX, Peggy (Jerre) Barron of Bella Vista, AR and Tamie Long of La Marque, TX; grandchildren, Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kirk (Bridget) Odom of North Carolina; Chris (Krystale) Cook of Deer Park, TX, Jeff (Ashton) Cook of La Porte, TX; Shanna (Brian) Criss of La Marque, TX; Neal Long (Amber Pfund) of Manvel, TX; great-grandchildren, Blake Odom, McKinsey Criss (Nolan Griggs), Brenley Odom, Jacob Criss, Kadence Cook, Camden Cook, Olivia Cook, Emory Cook and Presley Long; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

The Pallbearers will be James Luce, Kirk Odom, Chris Cook, Jeff Cook, Neal Long, Jacob Criss, and Brian Criss.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W. Frank Avenue, Lufkin, TX 75904, Allegiance Hospice,1560 Live Oak St, Webster, TX 77598 or The American Diabetes Association (South Central Texas Chapter), P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon prior to the services.

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.