David “Sonny” Stanley Odom

June 26, 1943 - October 23, 2017

On October 23 David Stanley (Sonny) Odom quietly and peacefully departed this life at his home in Virginia after a multi-year battle with multiple myeloma. Sonny was born in Shelby, NC. He leaves behind his loving companion Chris Heuple; his “Unca” Bobby and Aunt Jeri Biddix; his nephew Stephen and wife Kirsten Fuller and grandnephew Harrison; his nephew David and wife Stacey Fuller and grandnephews, Jacob and Greyson, and grandniece Georgia; a number of cousins; and a host of friends and business acquaintances. He follows in the footsteps of his father David Everett Odom, his mother Aldie Mae Biddix Odom, and sister Patricia Jane Odom Fuller who previously made their departures.

During his 74 years Sonny touched the lives of many in various disciplines and inter-relationships with his no-nonsense, direct, and creative approach to life and its endeavors. He was a gifted athlete in many sports. At Greensboro HS in Greensboro, NC he was a three-sport star in football, baseball, and basketball and led his team to the state championship in football in 1960. He was a star running and blocking back at Duke University, which gained him a 17th round pick (235th overall selection) from the Detroit Lions. He was a starting outfielder on the Duke baseball team, and he also played with the Federal Storage baseball team in Washington, DC and in other summer leagues. After college and a brief stint in pro football he taught school in Greensboro, NC and Fairfax, VA where he gained the confidence and admiration of his students with his unique approach to learning. He was a learned and fascinating tour guide. He also was a gifted photographer and captured many beautiful features of various landscapes and also captured the faces of many celebrities. Golf was one of his passions in life, and he very expertly managed the trip from hole one to hole eighteen in a minimum number of strokes. He leaves a void that cannot be filled, and he will be greatly missed.

Relatives and friends will be invited to a memorial service honoring his life with the date and time to be determined and announced at a later date. The family would like to honor Sonny by suggesting a tax deductible donation to Duke University, Trinity College Annual Fund – Teaching and Mentoring; Habitat For Humanity; or Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

See Condolences

I am so sorry to hear of Sonny's passing. as a tour operator, Sonny was a delightful guide to have in our "herd' of tour guides. All of our clients loved him Please know that even though late, my thoughts are with his loved ones at such an early passing

Dear Chris, Tour guiding with Sonny was always fun! I learned so much from him, both as a tour guide and as a photographer. My favorite memory of him is when David Moore, Sonny and I spent an afternoon at Ellis Island - me, sitting between the liberal and the conservative, trying to get a word in edgewise!

Dear Chris, I was sadden to learn of Sonny’s long illness and his passing. We spent many hours together showing travelers around during our tour guiding days. My love and prayers to you. Sandra Sheskin

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.