Ronald W. Odell, longtime resident of Downsville, Hamlet of Corbett, died Thursday, July 17, 2025 at Delhi Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Delhi. He was 86.
The son of the late Ralph and Mildred Eck Odell, he was born Feb. 21, 1939 in Peakville.
In addition to his parents, Ron was predeceased by a brother, Marcus Odell, his first wife Janet (Lacey), and his second wife Esther (Pudney).
In his younger years, Ron was very athletic; he attended tryouts for the New York Yankees as a pitcher and was a great baseball, basketball and football player. Ron was a hard worker - a bluestone quarryman who began learning and working in the trade as a young child with his father. For many years he managed the Downsville Bluestone Company and prior to that managed two gas stations, all while simultaneously working nights and weekends in his own bluestone quarries which he leased on various landowners’ properties. During this time, he also built his own house, incorporating bluestone that he quarried himself in two fireplaces, stone basement flooring, and stone retaining walls. Ron was a very intelligent man who returned to academics in his 40s, graduated from college after maintaining an average of 4.0, and became a data processor for a holding company. He used his knowledge to install computer and data processors for banks in Delaware County and elsewhere in New York state, including the First National Bank of Downsville, where his office was located.
Ron was an exempt member of the Downsville Volunteer Fire Department, and a former EMT member of the Downsville Volunteer Ambulance Squad. He was very active in local Democratic Party politics and ran for town supervisor and town councilman in Downsville. Ron was a former president of The Corbett Community Corporation.
He was an avid outdoorsman, and tremendously enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had been a member of the O&Y Hunting Club. Some of his favorite time was spent on Black Lake at “Ron’s Retreat,” fishing with family and friends. He enjoyed woodworking in the shop that he built on his property, and built furniture such as gun cabinets and hope chests for his children and grandchildren. He was a family man who loved to cook and bake; he used to deliver cookies to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He began the Odell Family Reunions 40 years ago and it gave him great joy to spend time with his family. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his sons Philip Odell (Debbie), David Odell (Wendy Worden) and Randy Odell (Brandy), all of Downsville; his daughter Sherry Sanford of Downsville; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews and extended family; and his very good friend and fishing buddy, Gib Mills.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave., Roscoe. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. in the funeral home. Pastor Joseph LeConey will officiate. Burial will be in Paige Cemetery, Downsville, immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ronald’s name to the Corbett Community Corp., P.O. Box 103, Downsville, NY 13755.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave., Roscoe, NY 607-498-4929 or 845-439-5200 or www.Harris-FH.com
