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Herbert Abraham O'Dell Jr. passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026 at the age of 85. Known to many as Herby, he was born in Calera on December 27, 1940 to Herb and Rhoda O'Dell. He grew up in Calera and attended Calera Schools, graduating in 1959. He married Janis Carr on August 5, 1967, and they were married 58 years.
Herby served in the US Army Reserves from 1963 to 1969. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Calera. He worked for Pillsbury, CIT Financial, and later owned and operated Calera Mobile Homes before retiring. He and Janis made their home east of Calera where they lived for over 55 years. What he enjoyed most was sitting on the front porch in his rocking chair, watching his cows and horses while visiting with family and friends.
Herby is preceded in death by his parents Herb and Rhoda O'Dell, sisters Billie Jo Sweeney and Joyce Nelson, and brother Dwight O'Dell.
Those left to remember him include his wife Janis, son Michael Grice of Plano, TX, daughter Shannon (Daryl) Mulkey of Calera, granddaughter Shelby Grice of Willis, TX, grandson Conner (Jill) Mulkey of Tulsa, great-grandson Harrison Mulkey of Tulsa, brother and sister-in-law Frank and Shirley O'Dell of Lake Kiowa, TX, sisters-in-law Nell Kimbrough and Linda Harrison of Calera, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Herby's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Southern Pointe Living Center in Colbert for their comfort and care.
Graveside service and burial will be held February 2, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Rosehill Cemetery in Calera, OK, with Jacob Toews officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association in Herby's name.