Marvin Keith “Red” O’Dell passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at St. Luke’s Nursing Center, Carthage, after a 9 month bout with skin cancer.
He was born October 6, 1957, in Carthage to Bill and Patty Moss O’Dell. He was a graduate of the Carthage High School Class of 1975. He graduated from Missouri Southern and attended Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Red was well known for his athletic ability. He played baseball beginning with the Pee Wee League and continued through Babe Ruth League and American Legion. He was always chosen for all stars. He mixed the sports up with adding the Junior Bowling League, football and basketball in junior high, baseball and basketball in high school.
Red joined the Missouri Southern Lions baseball team as a walk on and a pitcher before moving to center field. While playing for the Lions (1976-1979) he was NAIA All-American Honorable Mention, NAIA District 16 All Star, NAIA Area 4 All Star, NAIA United States All Star Team that toured Taiwan and Korea (summer 1978). He was inducted to the Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009. Slow pitch softball came next and then golf. Sports was a major part of his life and he was an intense competitor.
Red worked several years for the City of Carthage in the park department, municipal golf course and the Fair Acres Sports Complex. He retired from Center Creek Golf Course, Sarcoxie. He took great pride in maintaining the parks, ball fields and golf courses.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include Marilyn Baugh, sister, and Mark O’Dell, brother, both Carthage; two nieces, Amanda (Bronson) Makeeff, and Charity (Brian) Bayless; two nephews, Blake (Laurie) O’Dell and Clay (Mica) O’Dell, great nieces and nephews, great great nephews, along with several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Per Red’s request there will be no services.
