O’Dell, Alfred

Alfred O’Dell, 82, of Chattanooga, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at home surrounded by family.

 

Alfred was born and raised in the community of Lookout Valley where he helped his parents run their iconic store O’Dell’s Grocery. He attended Central High School and, at 17, joined the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in the South Pacific near Enewetak Atoll where testing of the atomic bomb was conducted. He was later stationed near Albuquerque, NM where he met and married the love of his life, Nora Ann. Following his service in 1959, they returned to Lookout Valley and soon started their family.

 

Alfred had over 50 years of experience working in the semi-truck parts business. “O’Dell”, as he was known in the business, and his lifelong friend, Ernest Drew, were well known, even legendary, for their ability to locate truck parts for any model truck from anywhere in the country. 

 

Alfred is widely known for his strong coaching and mentoring talents and for his love of true sportsmanship. He first started coaching Dixie Youth Baseball teams in Lookout Valley alongside his close friend Roger Dinger and was later instrumental in bringing youth football to Lookout Valley. Several young men went on to have careers in professional baseball and football.

 

Once his sons took an interest in boxing in the early 1970’s, he began his career as a boxing coach that would span over 50 years and up until the last days of his life. He travelled the country taking his boxers to bouts and tournaments. He has been greatly honored within the sport with many young men, his sons included, winning championships at the local and national levels, and several moving to the professional ranks. He molded young athletes’ lives in and out of the ring and no award compared to the pride he felt to see his young men succeed in life. Many returned to him over the years to thank him and to attest to his influence in their lives. He leaves behind a legacy of pride, determination, discipline, and love of boxing. 

 

Alfred leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Nora Ann McCloud O’Dell, sons Chip (Elaine) O’Dell, Todd (Danny) O’Dell, and Jeff O’Dell; five grandchildren Logan (Katy) O’Dell, Jennifer O’Dell, Brandon (Miranda) O’Dell, Aaron (Mackenzie) O’Dell, Devan (Alston) Casseday; three great granddaughters Preslee June O’Dell, Derek Marie O’Dell, and Nora Roe Casseday; three sisters Ola Mae O’Dell, Virginia Jo O’Dell Cavin, and Sherry (Lloyd) O’Dell Price, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and very special friend Ms. Willie Butler, and members of the “Liar’s Club” at Memorial Hospital. 

            

Above all, Alfred was known for being a family man. Alfred’s most treasured time was spent traveling with Nora and watching their children and grandchildren participate in multiple sports, competing at local, regional, and national levels including a trip to the Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado. In his last days, all Alfred wanted was to be surrounded by his family.

 

Alfred was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Maggie O’Dell, his sister Helene O’Dell Sears, and brother Mike O’Dell.

 

The family will hold a visitation service at Chattanooga Funeral Home - East Chapel on South Moore Road on Thursday, Jan. 20, from 4-8 p.m. The funeral will be held at noon on Friday, Jan. 21. Burial will be in Lakewood Memory Gardens, West.

 

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Hospice of Chattanooga - West Team, especially Maggie. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lookout Valley Lions’ Club or the Lookout Valley Neighborhood Association. 

 

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.