Ralph "Bud" O'Dell

Ralph G. “Bud” O’Dell passed away on Tuesday, February 28th, at the age of 98. He was born to Ralph W. and Jeanette (Casserly) O’Dell on June 11th, 1925, in Malaga, WA on the Lewis Ranch. He was the middle child and only son. He grew up in Malaga, East Wenatchee, Pateros, Wenatchee, and graduated from Peshastin High School. He worked from an early age, with jobs including caring for horses and working in orchards starting at age 12. He was proud of helping support his family through the Great Depression and being one of the boys who brought the harvests in when the usual laborers were fighting in World War II. After graduation, he attempted to enlist in the military, but was denied due to an eye impairment, so he joined the Coast Guard and served with the Merchant Marines in the Pacific shortly before the end of the war. After his discharge, he was drafted into the Army, where he served in Japan for almost a year. When he returned to the U.S., he met Verna Lee Harle; they were married November 1st, 1948. They had three children, Cheryl, Vickie, and Jeffrey. Bud worked at Craftsman for 15 years, before opening his own food wholesale business, ID Wares, which he oversaw until his retirement. He and Verna loved to travel, especially taking their RV on camping trips both nearby and as far away Mexico. Bud and Verna also treasured their family, inviting them to come on camping trips, hosting large holiday celebrations, and presiding over family get-togethers with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bud and Verna were happily married for 67 years, until Verna passed away in 2015. Bud lovingly cared for Verna for last few years of her life. Bud moved to Avamere assisted living facility in 2022 where he was very well regarded in spite of hearing loss that made holding conversations a challenge. He is survived by his daughter Cheryl Moore of Dublin, Ohio; his daughter Vickie Mills (Sam) of Wenatchee, and his son Jeffrey O’Dell of Spokane, WA. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Shirley O’Dell and Genevieve Schultz, his wife Verna Harle O’Dell, his son-in-law Timothy D. Moore, and his granddaughter Melinda Mills. A memorial service will be held at Jones & Jones-Betts on Monday, March 4th at 11:00 am.

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Ralph "Bud" O'Dell

June 11, 1925 - February 28, 2024