Gerald Carl Odgers

Funeral mass for Gerald Carl Odgers, 85, Lawrence, KS will be held at 10:00 a.m. February 9, 2022, with rosary starting at 9:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS. The Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Lenexa, KS. Gerald passed away Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at LMH Health after a long battle with colon cancer. The service will be live streamed at cccparish.org and click on live stream liturgies.

Gerald was born on November 21, 1936, in Dodge City, KS, the son of Carl and Catherine “Nettie” (Berghaus) Odgers.  His mother Nettie passed away in 1940 and his father married Dorothy Berghaus.  He attended schools in Meade, KS and Haddam, KS and graduated from Haddam Rural High School.  He attended Emporia State Teachers College and graduated with a degree in education and later received a Master’s Degree from Pittsburg State University.

After college he joined the United States Marine Corps and became a helicopter pilot and achieved final rank of Major.  He served in Vietnam in 1965 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  After the Marines, he continued his aviation career flying helicopters for Los Angeles Airways.  This was followed with working as a flight safety officer for Air America in Thailand, and then time in Singapore flying for an oil company in Indonesia.

He turned to a career in education and taught industrial arts and drafting programs for 28 years. The majority of his career was spent at DeSoto High School.  He enjoyed nurturing students’ interest in woodworking, engineering, construction, and architecture.

Gerald’s greatest love was attending the grandchildren’s sporting events, dance recitals, piano recitals, and other school activities.  He enjoyed his dogs, striking up conversations with anyone, and could always find a reason to get together for a meal.  His interests included old cars, classic boats, and even restored an antique Chris Craft boat.  He spent several winters volunteering at the National Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, FL.  He will be dearly missed.

He married Sharon Kaye Holmberg on October 15, 1966, in Belleville, KS and she preceded him in death on February 4, 2005.

Survivors include his sons, Dennis (Marsha) Odgers, David Odgers, four grandchildren, Chase, Kate, Hannah, and Kylee.

Memorial contributions may be made in Gerald’s name to Lawrence Humane Society or the American Cancer Society and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

16 Condolences

  1. Lon & Sheri Racster on February 4, 2022 at 3:35 pm

    Our sincerest condolences to the Odgers family.



  2. Jerry and Connie Townsend on February 5, 2022 at 9:16 am

    Thinking of you and your family. May the Lord give you comfort and peace.



  3. Joel and Janet Vestweber on February 5, 2022 at 11:40 am

    Condolences to the family….it is nice to think that Sharon and Jerry are together again.
    Joel and Janet Vestweber
    friends from the lake days



  4. Sharon Donnally on February 5, 2022 at 12:27 pm

    So sorry for your loss Dennis and Marsha and family. He was a great man, and I really enjoyed listening to all of his stories. He will be deeply missed by all.



  5. Marjorie Coonrod on February 5, 2022 at 1:26 pm

    So sorry to hear of Gerald’s passing. My sister and I went to Haddam Rural High School with Gerald. He was a special friend. Thoughts and prayers to your family. Marjorie Coonrod and Margaret Steele



  6. Pat Skaggs on February 5, 2022 at 1:39 pm

    So sorry to hear of your loss.
    Jerry, who I knew through the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Fl, was a very special friend to me. Luckily, we have kept in touch over many years with hopes of seeing each other one again. I will miss him and our phone visits.
    Prayers and love to you all.
    Pat Skaggs



  7. Jennifer Berquist on February 5, 2022 at 7:34 pm

    Dennis, Marsha, Chase and Kate: Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. May the fun memories comfort you during this time.
    Much love,
    The Berquists



  8. Jim and Dorene DeRodes on February 6, 2022 at 4:01 pm

    We are so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. Our condolences go out to you all at this time and in the days to come. We first met Jerry and Sharon in 1979. There were ten of us who formed a “Dinner Club” that met monthly until recent years . The men then formed a breakfast club that met weekly. Jerry was such a good friend and we will miss him so much.



  9. Cristy Sullivan on February 7, 2022 at 1:39 pm

    Dennis and Family,
    Your Dad was always so great to chat with when I would see him. My family was lucky enough to be able to purchase his Florida house from the auction. What a blast we had and he always remembered that we were there. Prayers to you all!
    May he rest in Peace!



  10. Roy Hawley on February 8, 2022 at 8:15 am

    Your dad and I were both born in Dodge City and ended up teaching together at DeSoto HS. What an interesting man with so many experiences and adventures all around the world. I would just sit in amazement as he would tell his stories. We will all miss him.



  11. Bea Shepek on February 8, 2022 at 8:54 am

    So sorry to hear of Gerald’s passing. He has been a good friend of mine since Haddam High School and he will be missed dearly. Thoughts and prayers to your family. Bea Shepek



  12. Roger & Sandra Congleton on February 8, 2022 at 9:54 am

    Dear Dennis, David, Chase, Kate, Hannah, and Kylee,
    He was a High School classmate, college roommate and good, good friend. Our paths always seemed to cross in the strangest places, including Christmas dinner at his house in Udorn, Thailand, in 1972. You have to be brave and tough to be a combat helicopter pilot and later work for Air America. Later, we would visit when he was at his nearby beach house. We will miss him. Semper fi Friend. RIP



  13. Kay Berghaus on February 8, 2022 at 3:05 pm

    Dear Dennis, David, and family: So sorry to hear of Gerald’s death. Marc and Jeanne and I would usually see him when he came to Meade to put flowers on the family graves on Memorial Day. He would come the day before and then call and have breakfast at the truck stop. He and Sharon were always fun to visit with, and then after Sharon died, it was good to listen to Gerald’s stories. We would usually see some of Dean’s cousins at funerals. I hope some of them could go to Lawrence for Gerald’s. Sorry we could not go, but my thoughts and prayers are with you.



  14. William Dugan on February 8, 2022 at 9:49 pm

    Bill and Sandy Dugan:
    We want to express our sympathy for your loss.
    Jerry and Sharon were good friends and we had some fun times in our dinner
    club w/them and the other couples. Always enjoyed his stories about the
    Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Fl and the times he volunteered for them.
    Will keep your family in our prayers, may he rest in peace.



  15. Ruth Ann Treaster on February 8, 2022 at 11:15 pm

    So sorry to hear about Gerry, I will miss him because I have been his cleaning person for about 15 years. He was such a good man, We had lots of conversations, And he always treated me with respect And told me how good of a job I did that his house always smelled clean and look good. I give my condolences To the family. I watched his grandchildren grow up Into young adults, Was a pleasure to meet them. I definitely will miss his company When I clean for him. To the family if you need anything just let me know if I can help you in any way. Ruth Treaster



  16. Nancy on February 12, 2022 at 4:50 pm

    Dave, Kylee and Hannah, so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
    Richard and Nancy Parks



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