John W. Odom Jr., 75, a resident of Thomas, died early Wednesday morning, June 7, 2017, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital.

He was born in Poplarville, Miss., on Oct. 16, 1941, but was a longtime resident of Washington Parish. John was a member of Stateline United Pentecostal Church, who enjoyed going to the Washington Parish Free Fair each year, especially the parade, Mile Branch Settlement and watching the acts on stage. He was a forklift operator for the Borden, Inc. milk plant until its closure when he then began service at the Washington Correctional Institute/Rayburn Correctional Center. He retired from there as a Correction Sergeant Master in May 2006. John also enjoyed working at the family firework stand, Big A’s Fireworks.

He is survived by: his wife of 54 years, Iris Dillon Odom of Thomas; son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Jo Jo Odom of Thomas; six grandchildren, Brianna Odom, Nicholas Odom, Jayden Odom, Taylor Odom, Mollianna Odom and Jordan Thomas; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Jo and Vincent Dillon of Thomas, and Nelda Penton of Franklinton; a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Marilyn Odom of Thomas; four sisters-in-law, Elaine Odom of Graham, Texas, Eloise Dillon of Franklinton, and Bonnie Dillon and Ladonis Sharp, both of Pine; and also numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.W. Odom, Sr. and Margie Dykes Odom; brothers, Homer “Pete” Odom and Tommy Odom; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Broxy and Tina Dillon; brothers-in-law, David Dillon and Paul B. Dillon; and sisters-in-law, Wilma Odom and Evelyn Bates.

Visitation was at Stateline United Pentecostal Church near the Hackley Community (494 Simon Road, in Tylertown, Miss.) on Friday, June 9, from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., and after 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 10. A funeral service was held in the church at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 10, with Rev. W.L. Tullos, Rev. Brian Dunn, Rev. Jimmy Hill, Rev. Jerry Cox, Rev. Brandon Wilkins, Rev. James Carney and Rev. Bryan Bates officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers were Waylon Dillon, Blake Dillon, Bryan O’Bryant, Joe O’Bryant, Jimmy Wilson and Dylan Seal. Honorary pallbearers were Denford Smith, Joel Hill, Brad Dillon, A.J. O’Bryant, Arlie O’Bryant, Richard Magee, Andy Hughes, R.B. Tullos, Greg Brumfield, Rev. Mike Dillon, Pete Barber, Brent Dillon, Tim Dillon, Jayden Odom, Nicholas Odom, Jordan Thomas, Chris Cook, Grant Berne and former co-workers of Borden, Inc. and Rayburn Correctional Center.

Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com.