John Austin O'Dell

On Saturday, April 13, 2024, we lost our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, John Austin O’Dell. John sustained several injuries from a fall the previous day and peacefully passed on Saturday evening. Our hearts are broken from his passing but so full of love for him and the wonderful memories we have made with him over the years. John Austin O’Dell was born on November 16, 1939, in Bakersfield, California, to James Clyde and Mary Maude O’Dell. He was the oldest of the six children in his family and remained in Bakersfield for his youth. His childhood and teenage years were filled with friends, family, adventures, and mischief. Following high school graduation, John hit the road looking for work and to see the world. He ended up enlisting in the US Marine Corps. Not long after his discharge, he met missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He moved to Utah and was baptized and served a mission for the Church in the Eastern United States. John loved his mission, especially serving at the 1964-1966 New York World’s Fair in New York City and participating in the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, New York. His time at the pageant was particularly special because that was where he met Ranelle Thaxton. John and Ranelle were married on October 9, 1964, and have had a beautiful life together for almost 60 years. John and Ranelle moved to Provo while John went to school at Brigham Young University where he graduated with a degree in marketing. They bought a home and were able to adopt two children, Erin and Murray. John worked for BYU for a time and then spent his career working for many businesses in the area. Following his career, John and Ranelle were able to serve two missions for the Church. They served in Muncie, Indiana, and East Lansing, Michigan. The connections and friendships they made from their two missions have enhanced their lives so much, and they treasure the people they have come to love. John’s devotion to the Church throughout his life defined a big part of who he was. He served in many callings including teacher, bishopric counselor, quorum leader, stake high counselor, and several service missions for English language learning, the family history center, and the Provo Assisted Living Care center. Those who knew him knew how much he loved to serve and help others and how much he loved the Church he belonged to. John experienced hardships and tragedies throughout his life but always kept moving forward. He loved to learn; he loved people, especially his grandchildren; and he was so grateful for all the blessings he felt he received throughout his lifetime. His family feels blessed to have known him, to have learned from him, to have loved him, and to follow his incredible example to us. John is survived by his wife, Ranelle Thaxton, daughter Erin (Dale) Garrard, Meridian, Idaho, daughter-in-law April (Murray) O’Dell, Orem, Utah, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson. He is also survived by his very loving siblings Marilyn (Norman) Tauchen, Daniel O’Dell, Glenn (Liz) O’Dell, David O’Dell, and Phillip O’Dell. John was preceded in death by his parents, James Clyde and Mary Maude O’Dell, by his son Murray O’Dell, his granddaughters Brittany and Tiffany O’Dell, by his sister-in-law Diane O’Dell, sister-in-law Arlynn High, and brother-in-law Kenneth High. Funeral services for John Austin O’Dell will be held on Saturday, April 20th at the LDS Meetinghouse at 1289 East 300 South in Provo, Utah. The viewing will be at 9:00 AM and the funeral at 11:00 AM. Internment will follow the funeral at the Provo City Cemetery. The services can also be viewed via Zoom: Zoom Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/92718892942?pwd=RDcvRHVRd0M1T3I1dGFRdjB6bnhCZz09 [zoom.us] Meeting ID: 927 1889 2942 Passcode: 859646 John’s family is so profoundly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, condolences, meals, and support. The kindness shown has truly eased our grief. We are also so thankful for the doctors, nurses, and emergency service workers who attended to John for his last few hours on this earth. John will be greatly missed but loved eternally. Please share memories and condolences at www.serenityfhs.com.

John Austin O'Dell

November 16, 1939 - April 13, 2024