Randall Thomas O'Dell

Randall Thomas O’Dell, age 77, of Glade Spring, Va., passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at Bristol Regional Medical Center after a courageous battle with kidney and heart diseases. Randall was born on October 4, 1940, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bluefield, W.Va., to the late Richard Harold O’Dell, Sr. and Callie Ethel (Puckett) O’Dell. He was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters, including Richard “Buddy” O’Dell, Jr., Gary Lynn O’Dell, Gerald O’Dell, Irvin “Pud” O’Dell, Eleanor O’Dell Smith and Delores O’Dell Summers. Randall was also preceded in death by the mother of his children, Mary Louise (Cravens) Odell and his oldest daughter, Vicki Louise Odell. He graduated in 1958 from Bluefield High School. Randall then served his country in the Air Force from 1962 to 1966, during which time he became a Vietnam Veteran. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Randall worked various jobs, but his career was with American Electric Power/Appalachian Power Company in Bluefield W.Va. and Abingdon, Va. from 1969 to 1999. He worked in the Transmission Department as a lineman. Randall was a member of the VFW# 1994 in Abingdon, Va. and a member of the Bluefield Elks Lodge in Bluefield, W.Va. He loved watching his sports, especially West Virginia University Football and the Atlanta Braves. One of his favorite routines was having coffee with his friends at Brown’s Pantry. Even after he was unable to attend when he became too sick, friends made a point to call and come by to check on him or take him out to dinner. His daughters will be forever grateful for the love they showed Randall.Randall is survived by his daughters, Lisa Gaye Odell of Emory, Va., Mary Catherine Odell of Abingdon, Va. and Rebecca Susan Odell and her fiancé, Benjamin Webster, of Laurel Bloomery, Tenn.; His brothers, Lee Edward Puckett, Sr. of Abingdon, Va. and Dwain O’Dell and his wife, Joan, of Shreveport, La.; His cousin, who is like a sister to him, Donna Sue (Morris) Murray and her husband, Jack, of North Tazewell, Va. Randall is also survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as several cousins. The family would like to mention a few special friends and medical staff who have helped them during this difficult time. They include but are certainly not limited to Howard “Al” Dye, Bobby Cuddy, Doyle “Nater” Crosswhite, Fonzo Randolph, Aaron Gobble, Hector Heath, Dr. Laramie Triplett, Dr. Sath Poobalasingham, Dr. Duq Vu, Dr. Nelson Gwaltney and the Wound Care staff, Respiratory Care staff and the Nursing Staffs of 2 West and East at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Thank you to the staff at Fresenius Dialysis in Bristol, Tenn. for their care of Randall since August 2017. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2018, from 1pm to 3pm at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluefield, WV. Private burial will follow at Monta Vista Park Cemetery in Bluefield, WV. Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the family.