St. John's Cemetery Individual Record

Wallace S. Odom

Wallace S. Odom
(April 3, 1938 -- January 28, 2014)

Section: 15b
Space: 1
Lot: 1
Parents: Roy & Mildred Sloan Odom
Place of Birth: Brewster, FL
Occupation: Government
Current Owner: Odom, Wesley

            Wallace S. Odom died Tuesday evening, January 28, 2014, following a lengthy decline in health. 

            Locally, Wally was known as the former long-time Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Affairs for the Escambia County School District.  He also was the former husband of Barbara (realtor) with whom he had two sons, Wesley (financial advisor) and Bradley (attorney). 

            Wally was born on April 3, 1938 to Roy and Mildred Odom (deceased) in Brewster, Polk County, Florida.  He shared his childhood with his brothers, Larsen and Larry. 

            Upon graduation from Mulberry High School, Wally worked for the State Road Department.  After a few years, he resigned and attended Florida State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. 

            In 1963, he married and following graduation, Wally moved to Pensacola where he worked as an accountant for the City of Pensacola and was responsible for installing its first computer database system. 

            After a few years, Wally left the City to take a better position with American Cyanamid.  When that company later wanted to promote him to another position in New Jersey, he secured a senior accounting position with the Escambia County School District to remain in Pensacola.  Wally was promoted gradually within the administration--eventually serving in the senior finance position longer than anyone previously.  He loved his job and many of his co-workers. 

            He regularly served as an executive in many state and national finance officer associations and was recognized as one of the best in his field. 

            When not working, he made wise use of his time.  He maintained an immaculate yard and enjoyed planting flowers.  Occasionally, he served as coach for his sons’ baseball and basketball teams.  He was an avid chess player and sports section reader.  He also was a member of First United Methodist Church of Pensacola.  Later, he enjoyed his boat, the “Unreel”--so named because he refused to allow fishing aboard. 

            Wally possessed a great sense of humor and frequently was the “life” of the party.  As a fraternity boy in college, he was “Zorro”.  In his working years, he was “Jolly Wally”.  Even after he lost the ability to communicate verbally, he still made people laugh with his facial expressions and eyes. 

            Every autumn, Wally’s biggest interest was Seminole football.  He was an avid fan before FSU became a football powerhouse.

            Wally is survived by his sons:  Wesley (Linda) and Bradley (Ellen); grandchildren:  Trevor, Evelyn, Wally, and Arthur; brothers:  Larsen (Elsie) and Larry (Susan); nieces Lucille (Frank) and Lindsey (Chris).

            Visitation was at Waters and Hibbert on Saturday, February 1 from 1:00 to 2:30 pm.  Afterwards, there was a graveside service at St. John’s Cemetery, where he was interred.