Valner "Ray" O'Dell

Valner "Ray" O'Dell, 69, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, at his home in Nevada, following a period of declining health.

Ray was born May 14, 1946, in Midland, Texas, the son of Lowell and Wanda (Early) O'Dell. Ray graduated from Tampa College in Tampa, Fla., with a degree in criminal justice. He was a Vietnam veteran and married Donna Jean Maxson on Aug. 9, 1990, in Spring Hill, Fla.

Ray worked in oilfield construction and was a coast to coast trucker. He liked to read, study law and was very interested in history. He was a long-time member of the Pentecostal Assembly Church in Nevada. 


Ray was preceded in death by his father and is survived by his wife, Donna, of the home in Nevada; a daughter, Jeweliann Smith, of Odessa, Texas; mother, Wanda O'Dell, Midland, Texas; stepdaughter, Delinda Christina Phashky, Hudson, Fla.; three stepsons, Don Sands, Hudson, Fla., David Sands, Springfield, Mo., Daniel Sands, El Dorado Springs, Mo.; 12 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and special church friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada, with the Rev. Dennis Engelbrecht officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, prior to the service. Burial will follow at a later date in Florida.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the Pentecostal Assembly Church in Nevada care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.