Thomas Duane O'Dell, 79, of Hot Spring, SD, succumbed to heart failure at the Rapid City Regional Hospital surrounded by family on December 15, 2016.

A Celebration of life Ceremony will be held at 11:00a.m., Saturday, January 14, 2017, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs with Pastor Mark Crossman officiating. Burial will take place in Mackay, ID, on July 22, 2017.

Thomas (Tom) was born on September 11, 1937, in Minneapolis, MN, and is survived by his 3 sons, Patrick S. O'Dell, Brock A. O'Dell and Timothy J. O'Dell. As well many loving extended family members. Tom was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend to all.

Tom enlisted in the Army in 1952, at the age of 15, where he went on to fight in the historic battle at Pork Chop Hill in the Korean War. Discharged in 1955, he went on to marry Sheila J. O'Dell per-beloved wife passed in 2007. Tom O'Dell led a very successful career working for the VA until his retirement in 1976, from the Miami, Fl, V.A. as Chief of Facilities Management. During retirement Tom then went on to build and operate some very notable businesses and companies. One of his favorite business ventures was running his catering company "Western Catering". Although Tom was an entrepreneur at heart he also loved many hobbies which included; flying, sailing, socializing with anyone with a minute to spare, raising Shih-Tzu puppies, being a loving husband and father. But most important of all Tom loved being a friend to all that was privilege to know him. Tom went on to write and published a book "Life Experiences of a Fifteen-Year-Old Boyhood Soldier", which only covers a small chapter of his very fruitful and fulfilling life.