Monty Hale Odom, age 76, of Elizabethton, Tenn., went home to be with our Lord on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at 12:32 p.m., at his residence, dying as a result of Agent Orange to which he was exposed in Vietnam. He was born in Elizabethton, Carter County, Tenn., on Dec. 24, 1949, to the late Jay Lester and Nola Irene Birchfield Odom.
SGT Odom proudly served his country for three years in the U.S. Army. After returning from Vietnam he was lead NCO from Ft. Campbell on the Honor Guard for Veterans, mostly those killed in Vietnam and he proudly served in the Texas State Guard.
Monty was a Little League coach by day and an avid coon hunter by night, raising 27 coon dogs at one time and winning many trophies. Living a full life, Monty’s accomplishments include tobacco farming, brick laying, welding in the ship yard, pile-driving for building oil tanks, and ranch foreman raising Santa Gertrudis cattle and Katalina and Boer Goats for Dr. W.L. Barnett, who was like a dad to him.
He was a life member of the VFW and American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled Veterans, National Rifle Association, and Texas Rifle Association. He was a past president of the Montgomery County Bee Club and he started and was coordinator of the Christian Coalition in Liberty County. He also started the 20th Engineer Brigade Reunion in 1993. He was a big supporter of Cleveland’s Dairy Day and Cleveland Youth Baseball. He was a pastor starting Amazing Grace Missionary Baptist Church and currently a member of Pleasant Beach Baptist Church. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and a Master Mason and a Shriner.
Those left to cherish his many memories include his loving wife, of fifty-eight years, Linda Lewis Odom, daughter Vickie Lynn Hall, son, Monty Shain Odom and wife Candice Bourgeois Odom, five grandchildren, Brianna Marie Harrell and husband, Jordan Harrell, Brittany Michelle Cooper, Melodie Grace Odom, Michael (Mikey) Hale Odom, and Michelle Faith Odom, and four great-grand children, Allie Michelle Kennebrew, Nia Danielle Kennebrew, Hadley Royaleen McGalin, and D.J. Cooper. Monty had six siblings, Roger Dale, Steve Wayne, Allen Lester, Sharon Marie Teague, Jay Wesley, and Gregory Scott Odom, plus many nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends to share memories and show their love and support for Monty will be conducted between the hours of 10 and 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton.
The graveside service with Military Honors will follow the visitation at 1 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 12, 2026, at the Stout Cemetery on White Oak Mountain officiated by Danny Price. Pallbearers will be brothers, Scott and Steve Odom, Willie Shaw, Jason Shaw, Justin Shaw, and grandson-in-law, Jordan Harrell. Honorary Pallbearers are Roger, Allen, and Jay Wes, Dale, and Mickey Odom and Adian Shaw. With him will be buried his dog, Sadie, who was his faithful companion.
The family would especially like to extend gratitude to a special nurse who became like family who attended to Monty since coming back home to Elizabethton after being in Texas for more than 50 years. There couldn’t be anyone with more love and compassion than Amy Maine from NHC Home Care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Amazing Grace Missions, P.O. Box 289, Dayton, Tennessee 37321, Amazing Grace Missionary Baptist Church, 100 CR 386, Cleveland, Texas 77328, or Elizabethton High School JROTC.
Parking is limited so please carpool.
Words of sympathy may be shared by visiting our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com