Submit a PhotoJim Odenkirk is the greatest example of a life well-lived and well loved. Jim passed away peacefully on August 19, 2024, at the age of 96. His joyfulness and humor touched all who knew him. His bright light will be missed.
On May 31, 1928, Russell and Elizabeth Kaler Odenkirk of Mansfield, Ohio became proud parents of their only son, Jim who would continue to make them proud. He began his education attending school in Springfield Twp School ultimately graduating from Ontario High School.
After his honorable discharge from the Army, Jim attended The Ohio State University, earning his BS and MA in education, and his Ed. D from Columbia University. He continued pursuing degrees in American history, receiving his Master’s degree from Arizona State University and Ph. D from Northern Arizona State.
He began his teaching career teaching and coaching in his native state of Ohio. Throughout his career, Jim taught at Colleges in the Midwest, Idaho, and finally Arizona State University where he had an illustrious 35-year tenure that included Chair of the Physical Education Department. He belonged to and received multiple awards from numerous professional education, history, and sports organizations. Jim also pursued his intellectual interest as an author writing three books, Plain Dealing, A Biography of Cordon Cobbledick; Frank J. Lausche, Ohio’s Great Political Maverick; and Of Tribes and Tribulations, The Early Decades of the Cleveland Indians.
Always a passionate sports fan from an early age, Jim loved baseball and naturally gravitated to the Cleveland Indians (now known as the Guardians), his mother’s baseball team, and later The Ohio State Buckeyes football. He remained physically active officiating high school and college basketball games, running marathons and 10Ks. But perhaps his greatest interest was golf which he played as recently as May of this year. He ceaselessly tried to improve his game even if that meant repeatedly buying new clubs.
As the saying goes, Jim knew no stranger. He loved people, young and old. His aim was to brighten someone’s day with a smile, a brief conversation, or witticism. In doing so, gave him immense gratification.
Jim is survived by his two sons, Tom and Jim (Christine) Odenkirk, his beloved wife, Benita and her children Michele Cowger, Stacey (Steve) Noffz, and Rob Cowger. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, a greatgrandchild, brother-in-law Albert Wadley and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Russell, and mother, Elizabeth Kaler Odenkirk, and sister Barbara Wadley.
A Celebration of Life will be held on September 28, 2024, at 11:00am at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 E Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85297. Reception to follow the Celebration of Life.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a favorite charity in Jim’s name.
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Dr. Odenkirk was a dear friend of my Dad. They both had a wonderful sense of humor and a love for all sports. I will always cherish my memories of the two of them laughing together and enjoying life to the fullest. The world has lost a bright light with the passing of Jim, but I’m so grateful for the man that he was and the joy that he shared with everyone who crossed his path.
Jim was a loyal, authentic, and lasting friend to most everyone he knew; a scholar of rank; a public servant of the highest mark; a person of uncommonly wide learning and interest; and among the dearest souls in the known universe. Barbara and I will miss everything about him except his preference for Ohio State over Penn State. Thank you for your eminently good will, for your thoroughly good efforts and good deeds, for your invariable kindness and generosity, for you, dear Jim, Prof. Dr. J. E. Odenkirk, Sir! Very well done and farewell!
Jim was a person who lit -up every room he entered. This is a favorite compliment of mine – but is simply never more accurate than when it is applied to Jim. He was a joy to be around and left everyone better off for having come into his life. Blessings on Bennie and his family. We are so happy he was a part of our lives.
Years ago, I met Jim at the Chandler Public Library. He was sporting an Indians baseball hat, and even though I typically don’t start conversations with all the Ohioans who pass through the library, something prompted me to mention that my mom was a huge Indians fan. We struck up a conversation, and it turned out he was not only the same age as my parents but also grew up in Ontario, the neighboring town to where I grew up and where my parents went to high school. Although they never met in high school, they had mutual friends. It’s funny how small the world can be. When my mom came to Arizona for the winter, we’d get together with Jim and Bennie for lunch. We would talk about the Indians or books; he was very well-read. Jim was such a kind soul; chatting with him always brightened my day. I will miss him very much.
Bob was an entertaining member of a group of golfers affiliated with the Boise Tennis and Racket Club. I loved talking to Bob about the early days of the Cleveland ball team (I’m originally from Pittsburgh, PA) and anything else on his mind. Bob was a great guy to talk with! I’ve missed seeing him and our visits on the course so much. Good bye Bob!
I Love My Dad.❤️
I knew Jim through my brother Bob. He was a delight to have at our PennState vs. Ohio State football games for many years. Always taking our ribbings and giving as good as he got with the best of humor…He awarded me a signed copy of one his books and I will cherish it…So sorry to family for this loss…
Jim was a regular attendee of the Nine Spring Training Conference in Tempe. He was an avid Cleveland Indians fan (he still called the team that!) and was a beloved member of our community of baseball writers, scholars, and fans. We will miss his stories and warmth…and that smile. But more than anything else, Jim was a gentle soul. We plan to honor him at the conference in March.
A brief anecdote: Jim was a neighbor of mine in a Chandler AZ townhouse complex, and through an extraordinary coincidence discovered we had a common friend – a history professor in central Florida who happened to be one of my best friends’ fathers…and a fellow baseball historian who I saw when he’d come out from Florida for the Nine conferences mentioned above.
Anyway, the anecdote: Jim was and will continue to be an inspiration to me – staying active into his advanced age and giving little bits of wisdom here and there. I mean, I really admired the guy – I saw him hitting golf balls as recently as December 2023, and one other time in the 2020s… I was watching him and he didn’t know anyone was looking: he was crossing a 4-lane thoroughfare in the crosswalk at a light …and as he walked, he looked over his shoulder and noticed a car waiting for him to clear the crosswalk to make the left turn onto the main road…when he noticed the car, he ran – he. ran. – across the intersection. And I was in awe, knowing he was doing that as a man north of 90. Like I said, an inspiration, for all of us.