James Thomas “Jim” Odell of East Bend died on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016.

He was born June 29, 1955, at 2 a.m. at Grace-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Conn.  Sister Beth Ann joined the family Aug. 31, 1960.  At a young age, he began reading full-length books, enjoying the outdoors, especially the live oaks near the family home in Jacksonville, Fla. and playing with friends in the woods and yards. As a boy, he played baseball, football, and basketball. He attended Saint Jude elementary school in Atlanta, Ga., Ballard High School in Louisville, Ky., Millersburg Military Academy in Millersburg, Ky., and attended classes at Wake Forest University.  He then worked at AMP, Inc. in Kernersville. During his high school years, he enjoyed summer trips with the family across the United States. He married Virginia (Ginger) March, daughter of Howard March, founder and for years, owner and operator of Marsh Furniture, Inc. in High Point and Ethel March. She died Dec. 22, 2006. In later years, as a resident of assisted living facilities, he continued to enjoy reading and lunch out and picnics with family members. He particularly relished visits from his sister, Beth Ann Ham, and cousin, Mary Ann Inslee. He would recall with exacting detail the cross country trips, other important events of his life, and his years with Ginger in great detail. He found joy in discussing history and abstract ideas and continued reading.  Recently he asked for a copy of a book by Upton Sinclair and a copy of a book by Victor Hugo so that he might read them again.

Survivors: his mother, Mary Ann Odell of Arbor Acres, Winston Salem; father, W.H. Odell and wife Rose of East Bend; sister, Beth Ann Ham of Zebulon; and cousins, Mary Ann Facente  and husband Robert of Columbia, Md., Joseph Inslee of Harrisburg, Pa., Lucile Williams of Aurora, Colo., and Katherine Inslee of Pahoa, Hawaii.

A mass celebrating his life will be held Tuesday, Sept.  27 at 11 a.m. at Saint Leo’s Catholic Church, Winston-Salem, with Father Brian J. Cook officiating. Burial will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park Cemetery.

Condolences: www.gentryfuneralservice.com.