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​*After years in the [[insurance]] business, Odom was the parish administrator for the DeSoto Parish Police Jury at the time of his sudden death.​}}​

​*After years in the [[insurance]] business, Odom was the parish administrator for the DeSoto Parish Police Jury at the time of his sudden death.​}}​

'''Samuel Joseph Odom, Sr.''', known as '''Sammy Joe Odom''' (November 13, 1941 – January 18, 2001), was an [[United States|American]] [[football]] player for the [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] Oilers, the [[Northwestern State University]] Demons in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana]], and the [[Minden (Louisiana) High School]] Crimson Tide in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]].​

'''Samuel Joseph Odom, Sr.''', known as '''Sammy Joe Odom''' (November 13, 1941 &ndash; January 18, 2001), was an [[United States|American]] [[football]] player for the [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] Oilers, the [[Northwestern State University]] Demons in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana]], and the [[Minden (Louisiana) High School]] Crimson Tide in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]].​<ref name=obit/>

==Biography==

==Biography==

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Odom was born in [[Shreveport]] to Troy S. Odom, Sr. (1912-1990), and Elvin C. Odom (1912-1995). In the fall of 1958, in his last season at Minden High School, Odom, an offensive tackle and defensive middle linebacker, was named "Most Valuable Player". He was also cited as an All-American center. Odom was honored by the Minden Jaycees as the "most outstanding athlete" in his city. This particular award was presented by Charles Allen "Corky" Marvin (1929-2003), later a district attorney and [[judge]] of the Louisiana Circuit Court of Appeal for the Second District.<ref>"Sammy Joe Odom Named a Recipient of 1958 Most Outstanding Award", ''Minden Herald,'' December 18, 1958, p. 10.</ref>​

Odom was born in [[Shreveport]] to Troy Shakelford, Sr. (1912-1990), and the former Elvin Coyle (1912-1995), who are interred at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Minden.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92181648/troy-shakelford-odom|title=Troy Shakelford Odom, Sr.|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=July 5 2020}}</ref> In the fall of 1958, in his last season at Minden High School, Odom, an offensive tackle and defensive middle linebacker, was named "Most Valuable Player". He was also cited as an All-American center. Odom was honored by the Minden Jaycees as the "most outstanding athlete" in his city. This particular award was presented by Charles Allen "Corky" Marvin (1929-2003), later a district attorney and [[judge]] of the Louisiana Circuit Court of Appeal for the Second District.<ref>"Sammy Joe Odom Named a Recipient of 1958 Most Outstanding Award," ''Minden Herald,'' December 18, 1958, p. 10.</ref>​

Odom played football at Northwestern State, where he was designated permanent co-captain of the 1963 team. He was named (1) the best offensive lineman, (2) the co-winner of the "Most Valuable Player" trophy, and (3) the best lineman in the annual competition between Northwestern and its regional rival, the [[Louisiana Tech University]] Bulldogs. Odom was also named to (4) the All-Gulf State Conference team and (5) the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American team. He was the (6) "Most Valuable Lineman," according to Gulf State Conference coaches in 1962.

Odom played football at Northwestern State, where he was designated permanent co-captain of the 1963 team. He was named (1) the best offensive lineman, (2) the co-winner of the "Most Valuable Player" trophy, and (3) the best lineman in the annual competition between Northwestern and its regional rival, the [[Louisiana Tech University]] Bulldogs. Odom was also named to (4) the All-Gulf State Conference team and (5) the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American team. He was the (6) "Most Valuable Lineman," according to Gulf State Conference coaches in 1962.

Odom died of a sudden illness two months after his fiftieth birthday. In addition to his younger brother, Charles Odom, he was survived by his wife, the former Cheryl Yarborough; a son, Samuel Joseph "Bo" Odom, Jr. of Mansfield; two daughters, Joel Caral Odom Salley and husband, Thomas Addison Salley,

Odom died of a sudden illness two months after his fiftieth birthday. In addition to his younger brother, Charles Odom, he was survived by his wife, the former Cheryl Yarborough; a son, Samuel Joseph "Bo" Odom, Jr. of Mansfield; two daughters, Joel Caral Odom Salley and husband, Thomas Addison Salley,

of Shreveport, and Rachel Odom Delafield and husband, Wil Delafield, of Mansfield; four grandchildren; sister-in-law, the former Pattie Lou Cook of Minden, wife of Charles Odom; a second brother, Troy S. Odom, Jr. (born 1948), and wife, the former Donna Suzanne Haygood (also born 1948), formerly of Lewisville, [[Arkansas]], but retired in Webster Parish, nd his mother-in-law, Carajo Yarborough of Mansfield. Services were held in the First [[United Methodist]] Church, of which Odom was chairman of the board of trustees. Interment was at Highland Cemetery in Mansfield.​

of Shreveport, and Rachel Odom Delafield and husband, Wil Delafield, of Mansfield; four grandchildren; sister-in-law, the former Pattie Lou Cook of Minden, wife of Charles Odom; a second brother, Troy S. Odom, Jr. (born 1948), and wife, the former Donna Suzanne Haygood (also born 1948), formerly of Lewisville, [[Arkansas]], but retired in Webster Parish, and his mother-in-law, Carajo Yarborough of Mansfield. Services were held in the First [[United Methodist]] Church, of which Odom was chairman of the board of trustees. Interment was at Highland Cemetery in Mansfield.​><ref name=obit>Odom obituary, ''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' January 22, 2001​.<ref/>

On July 4, 2007, Odom was posthumously honored among the "Top 100 Players" in the history of Northwestern State University.​

On July 4, 2007, Odom was posthumously honored among the "Top 100 Players" in the history of Northwestern State University.​

==References==​

==References==​

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