James Hawley O'Dell Sr. passed away Thursday, April 23, 2014 at Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor, Va. He was born in Pulaski, Va. on July 9, 1927 to parents Arthur L. and Cynthia Hawley O'Dell. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 62 years, Lois A. O'Dell; son, Dennis R. O'Dell, three sisters, Haskel Horton, Mary Alice Dalton and Phyllis Dalton; seven brothers, Herman, Bobby, Curtis, Hebron, Jack, Burnus and Turnus; mother- and father-in-law, Raymond and Captolia Nunn; one great-granddaughter, Kayla Doss and one great great-grandson, Sean Doss.

Surviving him are a son, James H. O'Dell Jr., and a daughter, Cynthia O'Dell Doss Shook; one brother, Jeff D. O'Dell; sisters-in-law, Doris Rees, Deloris Fortner, Pat Nunn and Revonda Nunn, Naomi and husband, Bob Selvey. He was called Paw-Paw by grandsons and wives; John Sr. and Theresa Doss, Charles Jr. and Tracy Doss, John Shook Jr., Christopher and Danielle Shook, 15 great-grandchildren, four great great-grandchildren and many special friends who are considered family, and a special friend, Brandi Simpkins.

He served in the Navy from 1944-1946 during WWII. After returning home from war, he went to the coal mines where he worked for 14 years. He loved carpentry and spent a lot of time creating many special projects still held dear to the people who received them. He was a devoted man of God and loved to read his Bible. There were many times during the day you could find him and Lois at the kitchen table studying the Bible.

The family would like to thank Pulaski Hospital, Alleghany Regional Hospital, Golden Living Nursing Home in Low Moor, Va., and the doctors and nurses at each facility for everything they did.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday at the Bower Funeral Home-Chapel, Pulaski with Rev. Carson Linkous officiating. Entombment will follow at the Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin where the V.F.W. Post #1184 will conduct military honors.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Saturday evening at the Funeral Home.

To send your online condolences, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com