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==Biography==

==Biography==

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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 A. Marvin]], 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," ''The 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 played only a year - in 1964 - in the American Football League for the Oilers; one of his teammates was another player from Minden, Charles Taylor "Charlie" Hennigan (1935-2017).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bing.com/search?q=Houston%20Oilers%201964%20roster&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-1&pq=houston%20oilers%201964%20roster&sc=3-26&sk=&cvid=EC7E1EF0B519497CA5C81A69CE5EC4D6|title=Houston Oilers 1964 Roster|publisher=pro-football-reference.com|accessdate=July 5, 2020}}</ref>

Odom played only a year - in 1964 - in the American Football League for the Oilers; one of his teammates was another player from Minden, Charles Taylor "Charlie" Hennigan (1935-2017).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bing.com/search?q=Houston%20Oilers%201964%20roster&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-1&pq=houston%20oilers%201964%20roster&sc=3-26&sk=&cvid=EC7E1EF0B519497CA5C81A69CE5EC4D6|title=Houston Oilers 1964 Roster|publisher=pro-football-reference.com|accessdate=July 5, 2020}}</ref>

​After his sports career ended, Odom lived in Shreveport, where he founded the flag football program at the Agnew Town and Country School. In 1971,he relocated to Mansfield in DeSoto Parish, south of Shreveport. There, he operated the Dunn-Odom Insurance Agency for fourteen years. At the time of his death, Odom was the administrator for the DeSoto Parish Police Jury, the governing agency of the parish, akin to the county judge in other states. He was a member too for fifteen years of the DeSoto Regional Hospital Board. Odom's brother, Charles D. Odom (born 1951) of Minden, served on the Webster Parish Police Jury; Odom's nephew, "Chad" Odom (born 1975), ran unsuccessfully for [[mayor]] of Minden in 2014 but was defeated by [[Tommy Davis]].

After his sports career ended, Odom lived in Shreveport, where he founded the flag football program at the Agnew Town and Country School. In 1971,he relocated to Mansfield in DeSoto Parish, south of Shreveport. There, he operated the Dunn-Odom Insurance Agency for fourteen years. At the time of his death, Odom was the administrator for the DeSoto Parish Police Jury, the governing agency of the parish, akin to the county judge in other states. He was a member too for fifteen years of the DeSoto Regional Hospital Board. Odom's brother, Charles D. Odom (born 1951) of Minden, served on the Webster Parish Police Jury; Odom's nephew, "Chad" Odom (born 1975), ran unsuccessfully for [[mayor]] of Minden in 2014 but was defeated by [[Tommy Davis]].

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,