Obituary: Wallace A. Odum Jr.

Family and friends bade farewell to beloved business, community and church leader A. Wallace Odum Jr. of Duluth in funeral services Saturday (June 4) at Duluth First United Methodist Church. Dr. Tommy Green officiated. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Odum died May 31. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Duluth Chapel of Bill Head Funeral Home.

Wally was born in Waycross, GA, on July 6, 1933, to Sam and Juanita Odum. He graduated from Waycross High School where he held leadership positions in the Georgia Youth Assembly. He earned a BA degree from Mercer University in Macon where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He married Ann Parsons of Duluth in 1955. He served as a first lieutenant in U.S. Army Quarter Master Corps in Virginia and later was stationed at Atlanta General Depot.

Following his stint in service he and Ann entered her family’s business, Parsons in Duluth. Wally was over the hardware division of the company and later became president of the seven-store Parsons chain. He was a member Duluth First United Methodist Church where he held many leadership positions through the years, including chairman of the board for five years. Jan. 27, 1974, was declared “Wally Odum Day” by the church administrative board in appreciation of his faithful leadership.

He served as an Explorer Scout leader for several years and many young men, including Dr. Miles Mason, still appreciate his wonderful influence. Wally became a member of Gwinnett County Rotary Club soon after it was founded and later served as president. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow and a Will Watt Fellow. He served as treasurer of Duluth Fall Festival for many years and hosted their annual cookout at his famous “Wally’s Party Shack.” Wally was a member of the Community Foundation of Northeast GA and the Gwinnett Hospital Foundation. He was a Life Member of University Yacht Club since 1958. He served on the board of Gwinnett Community Bank for eight years and was also on the Gwinnett County Budget Committee.

Wally is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ann Parsons Odum, and their four children and spouses: Cindy and Marty Flournoy of Columbus; Carey and Patsy Odum, Ken and Donna Odum, Sharon and Rod Parris, all of Duluth. He leaves nine grandchildren: Mary Beth and Jody Flournoy; Rebecca and Lacey Odum; Amanda and Brandon Odum; and Ty, Wallace "Graham" and Savannah Parris. He is survived by three sisters, Faye Odum Barker, Dale Odum Barrow and Patsy Odum Hickox. He was preceded in death by his brother Carey Varn Odum. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Margaret Parsons Andrews and Kathryn Parsons Willis, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Duluth First United Methodist Church Building Fund in his memory.

Editor’s note: Obituary provided by Bill Head Funeral Home’s Duluth Chapel.