Gordon Persinger O’Dell

Gordon Persinger O’Dell, 80, died on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Garden Valley Retirement Village in Garden City.
He was born on January 16, 1937 in Stevens County, Kansas to Albert E. & Della Mae (Persinger) O’Dell. He attended schools in Hugoton and Eureka, graduating from Hugoton High School. He attended Panhandle State University where he played football and was the President of his Class. He earned an Associate Degree from Garden City Community College.
On December 30, 1957 he married Ellen Goodwin in Ulysses, Kansas. They moved to Garden City in 1958. While attending college he worked at Renick Drug #2, the Garden City Police Department and part time for ASCS (FSA). After college he worked for ASCS and became County Executive Director. He left that position in 1981 to open O’Dell Crop Insurance Services where he, his partner and son secured over 100 agents in five states. He sold the service center in 1993, retaining only his personal crop insurance agency where he remained until retirement.
Gordon’s hobbies included restoring VWs, golfing, gardening, fishing and traveling with his family. He was a member of St James Lutheran Church where he served many terms on the Church Council and was a Reader and Usher. He had also been a member of the Garden City Rotary Club, BPOE, Southwind Country Club, Knife and Fork Club, SWK Sports Car Club and served on the boards of Finney County Council on Aging and YMCA Heritage Club.
He is survived by his Wife, Ellen O’Dell of the Home, 2 Grandsons- Michael E. O’Dell of Overland Park & Scott D. Schmidt of Garden City, 1 Granddaughter- Megan M. (Kent) Williams of Garden City, 3 Great-Grandsons- Elliott O’Dell, Tyler Williams & Tristan Williams, his Daughter-In-Law Michelle and her Husband Doug Schmidt, along with extended Schmidt family Granddaughters- Shirley (Tim) Veatch, Brandi Strickland & Tiffany (Tim) Long and their Children.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, 1 Son- Eric G. O’Dell & 3 Brothers- Robert E. O’Dell, Leon A. O’Dell and Glen A. O’Dell.
The funeral service will be on Monday at 10:30 AM at St James Lutheran Church with the Rev A.J. Striffler officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Visitation hours will be Noon to 8:00 PM Saturday and Sunday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. In Lieu of flowers the family suggests Memorials to Garden City Community College Endowment Fund or St James Lutheran Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 412 North 7th, Garden City, Ks 67846. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com