Paul was born on April 12, 1929 the son of George and Anna (Koch) O´Dea in Jordan, MT. He attended grade school at Sumatra, MT and was a graduate of Billings Senior High School in 1947. After high school Paul married Lois Williams on May 28, 1949. He was a meat cutter at the Northside Locker in Billings, Montana for about seventeen years and worked at various grocery stores in Miles City. Paul went on to attend college at Miles Community College and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in elementary education from Eastern Montana College in 1970. Paul taught in the public school system in Miles City from 1970 to 1991. Paul loved to teach.
Paul was an active member of the Sacred Heart Parish and Sacred Heart School Board, as well as an avid ham radio operator. He was a jack of all trades; with carpentry as his biggest accomplishment.
Paul is survived by his wife of 62 years Lois O´Dea of Miles City, MT; his children: Dr. Patrick (Marlene) O´Dea of Spokane, WA; Margaret "Peggy" Tiffany of Miles City, MT; Dr. Timothy (Susan) O´Dea of Wenatchee, WA; Marianne Reaves of Misawa, Japan; Thomas O´Dea of Miles City, MT and Martin (Jeanette) O´Dea of Miles City, MT; two brothers: John O´Dea of Santa Barbara, CA; and Antone O´Dea of Billings, MT and his grandchildren: Dr. Michael J. O´Dea, Katherine McCartney, Dr. James O´Dea, Dr. Megan McElroy, Anna Tiffany, Sarah O´Dea, Matthew O´Dea, Dr. Rhonda Holt, Daniel Reaves, Michael T. O´Dea, Brent O´Dea, Jerel Blakely, Janel Blakely, Jeline Blakely & Joshua Blakely; and eighteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Anna O´Dea and two brothers: George O´Dea and Francis O´Dea.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 18, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a Vigil service at 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of Calvary Cemetery. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Sacred Heart School.
Service Schedule
Vigil Service
18:00
Sunday December 18, 2011
Stevenson Funeral Home-Miles City
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00
Monday December 19, 2011
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
520 North Montana
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Vigil Service
18:00
Sunday December 18, 2011
Stevenson Funeral Home-Miles City
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00
Monday December 19, 2011
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
520 North Montana
Miles City, MT 59301
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Wendy Richards says
Thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Karen Morris says
With deepest sympathy on the loss of your father. Losing a parent is one of the hardest experiences there is. You can never really be ready. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Karen & Jobie Morris
Janelle (Bramhall) Loyning says
Was my favorite teacher and is one of the reasons I made it through school. Was a great man. My deepest sympathy to the whole family. God bless you all!!
Stephani Schumacher-Daniels says
Tom and family.
I am sorry for the loss of your father.
I have lots of memory of him…always smiling and being so kind to me as a younster!
Take Care
Tom and Lillian Ostendorf says
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all your family.
Michael & Susan Atkinson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with Marianne and all the O’Deas. God is with us.
Melani Arneson says
The world lost a great man. My condolances to you and your family, Tommy. You are in my heart, thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Gwen (Williams) Finnegan says
Uncle Paul was a genuinely nice and caring man who often had a smile on his face. He always had a big hug for us upon greeting when visiting as well as a big hug and an “Love you” when our visit had ended.
Those O’Dea hugs are some of the best hugs around. They are all encompassing and let you know that you are really cared about.
Though Paul will be missed dearly by family and friends; the stars in heaven are burning much brighter as they welcome him into his eternal life.
Hassell Painter says
A good man, always a friend. My deepest condolences to Lois and the family.
Kathy Albers and Family says
My thoughts are with you, I am so sorry for your lose.
Shannon Halsey-Holmen says
Dear O’Dea family, so sorry to hear of your cheerful, light-hearted dad. He was always in the best mood with a smile for all. I know you have some wonderful memories. My prayers, Shannon Halsey-Holmen
Mike & Judy Teonnis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Paul was my 6th grade teacher.
Mrs. Sandra Ostwald (Beeler) says
May God bless you and the O’Dea family, My thoughts and prayers go with you.
Stanley and Ruth Herrera says
Your loss touches those that know, work, and love your family members. Please accept our sincere condolences as we extend them to the O’Dea family.
Chuck Sawyer says
Paul is a strong character in my fond memories. I was lucky to have taught with him at Lincoln school, to have talked with him on amateur radio, and to have his support of Loveda when she was at Sacred Heart School. I can imagine him somewhere in heaven: “Now how does THAT work?” – Loveda & Chuck
Sue Ensign says
I was sorry to hear of Paul’s passing; he was a good friend to Gary through the years. Lois, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bonnie and Dan Derenburger says
Sorry for your loss. We alwalys enjoyed talking with you and seeing your house in the Pine Hills. May God be with you and your family.
Wanda Dale says
Tim and Susan, Sarah and Matthew, I’m so sorry for your loss of your father and grandfather. He had to have been a great guy.
Jeff and Lecie Holt says
Our thoughts are with you all today. With much sympathy, Lecie and Jeff Holt
Donna Sweeney says
Dear Lois and family,
I am so sorry to read of your loss, Lois. The love you and Paul shared was beautiful.
Isabelle Jacobsen says
Sincere condolences to you Marty and to your siblings; I know it’s not easy to lose your father even if we know he is now in a better place.
James L. Arneson says
I will always remember Paul as my 6th grade teacher at Roosevelt. He was a great teacher, friend and mentor to many. He will be missed a great deal. His bright smile and friendly voice will live on forever to many of his friends.
Mary Ann Wells says
My deepest sympathy to the family.God’s Blessings to all of you.
Sincerely
Mary Ann
Mark & Donna (Stone) Sindelar says
Marianne, Tom, & family. We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts & prayers go out to you.
Theresa Williams says
Paul O’Dea will be missed. He was my 5th grade teacher at Lincoln School. He was a great inspiration to me and touch my life dearly. I will never forget you. Thank-you for all you did for us.
Joy Kroenke says
He was my favorite elementary school teacher…I had him in 5th grade. He loved life, and loved teaching children. Rest in piece, Mr. O’Dea.
Marie Farnum Kluver says
Mrs. O’Dea and Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you. You and your family were wonderful friends and neighbors to my folks. God Bless You.
Kim Stanton says
Dear Peggy, Marty, and Family,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your dear Father. That is a terrific picture of him on this website and really captures his essence. May the Holy Spirit, the Divine Comforter, bring you all healing and peace during this difficult time. I’m keeping you all close in my prayers as you celebrate your Dad’s life and yet mourn his loss. With love, positive thoughts, and prayers,
Kim Stanton
Paul Vaagen KA7ILN says
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayres are with you and your family. I will miss talking to Paul on the radio
Brian Hubbell says
I am very sorry for your loss. Mr. Odea was my 5th grade teacher. He and I battled on many occassions as I was a hyper kid and he didnt put up with much nonsense. We were a perfect pair. Anyway I will always remember his tough love teaching style as is it was very effective for kids like me and I know if a bean bag drops out of the sky and hits me in the head, I will know to quit goofing around. He will be missed.
Rebecca Kane says
Dearest Lois and family, I was so sorry to read about Paul’s passing. Both you and Paul were always so good to me in all the years we worked together. You have so many wonderful memories and a loving family to help you through this time of sadness. My love to you, Becky