LTC. David P. O’Dea, USA, Ret.
November 28, 1942 ~ May 10, 2019
ROCKY MOUNT - LTC. David P. O'Dea, USA, Ret., age 76, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2019. Born in Niagara Falls, NY on November 28, 1942, he was the son of the late Lawrence Paul O'Dea and Rose Nemic O'Dea.
He was a graduate of Niagara University and received his Master's in Criminal Justice from the University of Georgia. LTC. O'Dea retired from the United States Army following 22 years of service as an Army Officer, 31A Military Police. His distinguished service spanned from Vietnam to Korea and then to Granada, as well as other locations around the world. He also worked for 12 years as an assistant superintendent at the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution, and in addition 12 years with the Auburn, WA Police Department. David was a faithful member at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, as well as belonging to the American Legion Post 58, was Vice President of the Joint Veterans Committee of Nash and Edgecombe Counties and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2057. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, David will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
David leaves behind to cherish his memory, wife of 54 years, Mary Lou Mitchell O'Dea; son, David Paul O'Dea, Jr. and wife, Beverly, of Tacoma, WA; daughters, Ann-Marie Patrice O'Dea of Chesapeake, VA and Patricia Colleen O'Dea of Renton, WA. He is also survived by a grandson, Tanner Bryce-Ryan O'Dea; his brother Lawrence Peter O'Dea and his wife, Suzanne, of Springfield, VA; and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Father Tim Meares officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.
Burial will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Leukemia Research Foundation, 191 Waukegan Road, Suite 105, Northfield, IL 60093, or American Legion Rocky Mount Post 58, PO Box 8800, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2057, 11270 NC-97, Rocky Mount, NC 27803.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Friday 5/17, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.
Service
Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home
1130 N. Winstead Avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Friday 5/17, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Father Tim Meares officiating.
Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, VA 22211
Burial will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
We are so saddened by the loss of a great man and friend!! 😢😢😢 please know we are and always will be friends and consider you a part of our family!! Dave has served his country, community, and family to the best of his ability and with dedication! He always gave respect to our fallen military. He was loved and respected by all that knew him! He will surely be missed. No more pain or suffering and now you just R.I.P.Dave and Fly high!
The American Legion Post 58 shares in your sadness for your loss. David was loved by all of us. Mary Lou, Patty, Mimi and David Paul, Please try to take comfort knowing you are not alone; we are here for you now and at anytime we are needed. I speak not only for wife and myself but for our Post members, the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Joint Veterans Committee members of Nash and Edgecombe Counties as well. You know; Cindy and I are just a phone call away. Jim Taylor Commander American Legion Post 58
I can not explain my feelings on how sorry to lose my neighbor and friend. Mr. Dave was one of the sweetest and dearest people I have ever known in my life. I hate you had to leave us so soon. But, I know you are not in any pain and duress anymore, You are with Our Heavenly Father in Heaven now. Love and missing you already!!
We are so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He was a great man and touched many lives in and out of the Army. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary Lou and family.
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers to the family.. Dave was an outstanding Man, Husband, Father, and American. He will be missed. Take good care of him God for he was a Special Man.
R.I.P to a great man, thank you for your service sir, prayers to Mary Lou and the family for strength and healing during this difficult time.
In memory of LTC. David P. O’Dea, USA, Ret., Carl Surom lit a candle
The staff and members of the Rocky Mount Senior Center are deeply saddened by the news of Colonel O’Dea’s passing. His warm spirit and tenacity to get things done will never be forgotten.
Colonel O’Dea was my first Senior Rater the 16th MP Brigade (ABN). Leader-mentor to a 2LT, he set us on a 26-year path of memories for our entire family. Prayers of Strength and Understanding for all. Fondly remembered and forever respected. Rick and Debbie Greene
Brigitte and I extend our sincerest sympathies to Mary Lou and her son, two daughters, grandson, and brother on their loss.
The O’Dea family has lost a great person. He is so loved by all and will be missed. My condolences go to the entire family as the loss of a father is a great one My prayers to the family and especially Marylou who has a difficult burden to bear. God Bless you. Love Trish and family.
David was such a dear friend and he will be missed. He loved his family , friends, and country. My family sends our deepest condolences to the O’Dea family. A loss of a Father is a great one and the family will be in my prayers. God Bless you and God Bless you Marylou for being a wonderful wife.
EOW may he Rest In Peace a good and faithful servant. Two things I always remember about Dave 1st the tie with the fish whose name wouldn’t quit and its been real, its been fun, but it ain’t been real fun. He helped me early on in my career and I will always remember him and be forever grateful. May God grant those who miss him peace, comfort, strength and support. Lorinda Schwarz EOCI Chaplain
Dave was an outstanding man of honor and dedication. I was fortunate to have worked with Dave for several years and learned from him, both directly and indirectly, his leadership skills and expectations. In addition to having Dave as a co-worker, I was blessed to call both he and Mary Lou, friends. The world is a poorer place having lost Dave, but Heaven had to rejoice as he entered and received his eternal rewards. Sincere condolences to Mary Lou and their children and grandson. May God bless and keep you.
I am so saddened by this, we just visited Uncle David & Mary Lou last August with my nephew Mike.
So sad to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you.
My condolences to you’re family. What a wonderful career and I’m sure husband and father, grandfather. Men like you’re husband are few and far between.
Mary Lou and family, Lois and I are sorry for your loss, David was a great neighbor and was always so uplifting and positive and helping and encouraging others! Your and David’s Prayers and encouragement meant so much to me during my battle with Cancer. I will never forget David and his devotion and love for our Country and Community and all that he met. The World is a better place because of David and he will live on in all that he affected so positively! We will miss David, but we will never forget him! Warm Regards, Fred and Lois Adams
I miss you so very much. So much to still do. Need your input on so many things. Hope you are now resting in peace. Look out for the kids and me please. Love you
Dave, I miss you so very very much. I feel many times lost without you. I need to get myself in gear and try to make everything right. That means lots. But I have to close myself off from the outside and take care of business so I can do what needs to be done for YOY. I miss you so much and am really afraid that I am not actually doing what should be done for you. With Cindy I get kinda off track. But I try. Love you so much and miss you not being here with me.
I had the honor and privilege of working with Dave O’Dea at the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (EOCI) early on in my career. I considered Dave to be a mentor as he was so knowledgeable about operations, caring and patient with new employees. Dave had the best collection of colorful ties that I have ever seen – he wore a different one every day. As a New Yorker, he would often mention anecdotes about his life in Up-State New York. Although I lost contact with Dave over the years, his kindness and warm manner left an indelible imprint in me. Marylou and family, please accept my sincere condolences on his passing. May he rest in peace.