Gerald Carl Odgers

Funeral mass for Gerald Carl Odgers, 85, Lawrence, KS will be held at 10:00 a.m. February 9, 2022, with rosary starting at 9:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS. The Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Lenexa, KS. Gerald passed away Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at LMH Health after a long battle with colon cancer. The service will be live streamed at cccparish.org and click on live stream liturgies.

Gerald was born on November 21, 1936, in Dodge City, KS, the son of Carl and Catherine “Nettie” (Berghaus) Odgers.  His mother Nettie passed away in 1940 and his father married Dorothy Berghaus.  He attended schools in Meade, KS and Haddam, KS and graduated from Haddam Rural High School.  He attended Emporia State Teachers College and graduated with a degree in education and later received a Master’s Degree from Pittsburg State University.

After college he joined the United States Marine Corps and became a helicopter pilot and achieved final rank of Major.  He served in Vietnam in 1965 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  After the Marines, he continued his aviation career flying helicopters for Los Angeles Airways.  This was followed with working as a flight safety officer for Air America in Thailand, and then time in Singapore flying for an oil company in Indonesia.

He turned to a career in education and taught industrial arts and drafting programs for 28 years. The majority of his career was spent at DeSoto High School.  He enjoyed nurturing students’ interest in woodworking, engineering, construction, and architecture.

Gerald’s greatest love was attending the grandchildren’s sporting events, dance recitals, piano recitals, and other school activities.  He enjoyed his dogs, striking up conversations with anyone, and could always find a reason to get together for a meal.  His interests included old cars, classic boats, and even restored an antique Chris Craft boat.  He spent several winters volunteering at the National Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, FL.  He will be dearly missed.

He married Sharon Kaye Holmberg on October 15, 1966, in Belleville, KS and she preceded him in death on February 4, 2005.

Survivors include his sons, Dennis (Marsha) Odgers, David Odgers, four grandchildren, Chase, Kate, Hannah, and Kylee.

Memorial contributions may be made in Gerald’s name to Lawrence Humane Society or the American Cancer Society and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13 ^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.