Changes

[[Louisiana]], [[United States|USA]]​

[[Louisiana]], [[United States|USA]]​

| death_date=January 18, 2001 (aged  50)

| death_date=January 18, 2001 (aged  50)

| death_place=Mansfield, DeSoto Parish, Louisiana<br> ​

| death_place=Mansfield, DeSoto Parish, Louisiana ​

'''Resting place:<br>

'''Resting place:<br>

Highland Cemetery in Mansfield​

Highland Cemetery in Mansfield​

Mrs. Joel Caral Odom Salley<br>​

Mrs. Joel Caral Odom Salley<br>​

Rachel Cheryl Odom Delafield<br>​

Rachel Cheryl Odom Delafield<br>​

Four grandchildren​

Four grandchildren<br>

|religion=[[United Methodist]]​<br>

|religion=[[United Methodist]]​<br>

'''Alma mater''':<br>

'''Alma mater''':<br>

[[Minden (Louisiana) High School]]

[[Minden (Louisiana) High School|Minden High Scbool]]

[[Northwestern State University]]

[[Northwestern State University]]

|footnotes='''Notes''':<br>

|footnotes='''Notes''':<br>

==Biography==

==Biography==

​

​

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 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.