Jackie Ray Odom, Jr. was born in Brownwood, Texas on June 25, 1957, to Jackie Ray Odom, Sr. and Patsy Perrin Odom. He graduated from Brownwood High School in 1975. After high school graduation, Jack spent a year at TSTC in Waco, Texas, where he did so well in his studies that his drafting professors encouraged him to go to college. He later completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Building Construction at Texas A&M University in College Station in 1980, where he became a staunch Aggie with a lifelong love of A&M’s traditions and values.
Upon graduation from Texas A&M, Jack started working at Brown & Root, where he was a successful construction engineer and traveled all over the world, including India, France, Ireland, Singapore, and many states all over the USA. Jack worked for many other construction companies, but took great joy during his time at SpawGlass, where he was employed for many years. He enjoyed participating in SpawGlass’ golf and fishing tournaments. Prior to retiring, Jack assisted in building many hospitals and nursing facilities, and was proud to be involved in the construction of buildings used to care for others.
Jack did not have any children of his own, but was blessed with a nephew and a niece, who he loved and treated as his own. His love of Texas A&M was known by all of his family, and instead of his niece and nephew referring to him as “Uncle Jack,” they called him by the name “Aggie”. Aggie experienced great joy when his niece followed in his footsteps and graduated from Texas A&M in 2018. Aggie was a member of the Association of Former Students at Texas A&M and loved attending A&M football games at Kyle Field. He would always be found playing the Aggie War Hymn.
Jack was the most loving and outgoing person to everyone he met. He was a devoted son, brother, uncle, colleague, and friend to many. He had a childlike sense of humor and loved getting to talk to people from all over. He spent much of his free time hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors.
Jack spent 18 years with his best friend, Annie, who he took bird hunting regularly. Jack traveled to many places with his Vizsla, Annie, and loved and cared for her until she passed away in 2022. Everyone who knew Jack, knew how much he adored his beloved dog, Annie.
Jack was involved in the Kiwanis Club of Brownwood and would regularly attend Men’s Group through First United Methodist Church in Brownwood.
Jack passed peacefully and was called home to his Lord and Savior on June 17, 2024, in Brownwood, Texas. Jack is survived by his partner, Molly de Montel, his mother, Patsy Odom Riddle, his sister, Seallya Vaughn, his nephews, Tanner Vaughn and Nelson Joseph, his niece, Paxton Vaughn Joseph, and his great nephew, Jaymeson Vaughn. Jack is also survived by his aunts Wanda Sumner and Glenda Blair. Jack was predeceased by his father Jackie Ray Odom, Sr.
He will be remembered for his love for others, his sense of humor, his outgoing spirit, his love for Texas A&M, and so many others that cannot all be listed- but most importantly, he will be missed by his family and friends who will keep Jack in their hearts forever.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00. Jack’s funeral will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 21, 2024, at First Baptist Church – Brownwood. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions are asked to go to the family to start a scholarship fund in Jack’s name at Texas A&M University.
Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to the Odom family online at heartlandfuneralhome.com