Memorial Service Live Stream Link: https://youtu.be/KRU_j38sef8
Gregory Lee Odom (Greg) was born January 4, 1954, to the late Mr. James Odom, Sr. and Mrs. Jimmie D. Odom in Memphis, Tennessee. He was the fourth child of ten children. Greg was a graduate of George Washington Carver High School.
While at the high school, he introduced the sport of golf to the school and developed an avid love for the sport. Whenever he had a chance, he would have a golf club in his hand. He also enjoyed shooting pool and fishing. He would often bring his catch home and have a fish fry.
Gregory Odom was an active member of Greater Kerr Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend James A. Hailey until his health prevented his attendance. Greg worked many years as a steamfitter/ pipefitter with Steamfitter’s Local 614. Greg’s entrepreneurial spirit, skills, and experiences received as a pipefitter, motivated him to start his own wrought iron business in 1979: GLOCO IRON WORKS.
Greg shared his own experiences as a welder and small business owner to train and mentor young men about the trade and starting their own business. Traveling around the city and neighboring cities of the Midsouth, you will see a sample of Greg’s wrought ironwork. Greg was a member of the 12 Sportsman Club.
Greg and Shirley Baxter were married on October 13, 1996, and to this union was born Gregory Lee Odom Jr. Two brothers, James Odom, Jr., and Elbert Odom preceded him in death.
Gregory Odom, Sr. was a husband, father, businessman, and friend. He was especially a golfer of great skill. Born poor and African American didn’t stop him from learning, playing, and sharing the game of golf. Among great amateurs in Memphis, Tennessee, Greg could hold his own. Not a big hitter, but deadly accurate, he understood the lay of the land. Greg was hardly ever out of competition. Greg did a lot for the game that gave him so much. He coached the youth, conducted charity tournaments, and was the encourager of anyone attempting to play the game.
His son, Gregory Odom, Jr., a collegiate player at Howard University was Greg’s pride and joy. Gregory Odom, Sr. passed away on May 1, 2021. Two days after Greg’s death, Greg, Jr. won the national PGA Collegiate Championship.
Gregory Odom, Sr. has been selected as the prototypical Amateur African American golfer of excellence. The Life Together Board of Directors has named its Stakeholders Amateur Golfer Award after Gregory Odom, Sr. and it will be awarded annually.
Greg leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Shirley; one daughter, LaToya Williford (Joel); two sons, Eric Walker (Karika) and Gregory Jr; four sisters, Gwendolyn L. Jones, Sandra L. Houston (Freddie), Clarissa Odom, Nita McComb (Maurice); three brothers, Maurice Odom (Carol), Aubry Odom (Linda), Harold Odom (Helen) and a host of grandchildren, great-grands, nieces, and nephews. Greg raised nephews, Antonio, Anthony, and Timothy as his own children.
