Martin Lee O’Dell was born November 5, 1943 in Orrick, Missouri, Ray County, to Delbert D O’Dell and Alice Jane (Wright) O’Dell, the oldest of two sons. He attended Orrick Schools and graduated in 1961. After high school, he attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, studying agriculture, and graduating with an Animal Husbandry degree in 1965. Martin often spoke of hitchhiking between Orrick and Columbia for transportation to and from college on breaks. Shortly after graduation he started working for John Deere in the Kansas City area. The Deere company would provide employment in Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado for about 19 years. In 1966, Martin joined the Air National Guard and served for 6 years.
On September 22, 1970, he married Carol Kathleen Maynard Conroy. To this union three children were born, Craig Martin O’Dell, Brandon Lee O’Dell and Lesley Carol O’Dell. They were divorced in September 1988.
In 1986, Martin purchased about 39 acres on 7 highway west of Warsaw, Missouri and started and operated Oak Springs Boat Storage until he sold it in January 2021. Martin also became a licensed Real Estate Broker and developed about 30 of the acres into a small subdivision for weekenders and retirees. In his spare time he built and sold treated lumber yard furniture. Later, he mowed the Shawnee Cemetery for about 7 years; and raised and sold produce for farmer markets.
On February 29, 1992, Martin was married to Kathy Sue (Mantonya) Shinn at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Warsaw, Missouri. He taught Adult Sunday School for several years at Cedar Grove and continued his education by taking Seminary classes. He had previously served as a Deacon for a church in Kansas. Martin and Kathy moved to a small farm outside of Calhoun, MO, in August 2002. There they raised an assortment of livestock, Belted Galloway cattle, American Paint Horses, Oberhasli goats, Hair sheep, Hereford pigs, and a wide variety of poultry.
Martin enjoyed all things tractors and trains and had a small collection of scale models of both. He made it a point to attend the Missouri State Fair multiple days each year to enjoy the tractor shows and displays and livestock shows. He enjoyed watching football, and college basketball, especially the KC Chiefs and MU; and watching Kathy with her horses even though he said he didn’t like horses!
Martin was preceded in death by both his parents. He is survived by all three children and their families; his wife, Kathy O’Dell of the home; Joshua Shinn, wife Natalie Shinn, and children Jamison and Presley, of Blue Springs, Missouri. His in-laws, Edward & Helen Mantonya, Deepwater, Missouri; Vicky Church, Clinton, Missouri; Michael Mantonya, Deepwater, Missouri. His brother, James D O’Dell, and wife, Shirley O’Dell, Warsaw, Missouri. Along with nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces; cousins, and many friends.
Martin passed away December 27, 2022, at Overland Park Regional Hospital, Overland Park, Kansas.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 5, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Northeast Baptist Church, Clinton, Missouri; with visitation at 10:00 am, and Wednesday prior to the service, and Wednesday, January 4, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, also at the church. Interment was in the Calhoun Cemetery, Calhoun, Missouri. Funeral services provided by Bradley and Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. The family suggests memorial donations be made in Martin’s memory to the City Union Mission-Opportunity Farm program, 13478 MO-7, Warsaw, MO 65355, and these donations may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.
