Dennis Kendell O'Dell's Obituary
Dennis Kendall O Dell
July 11, 1948 May 11, 2010
Dennis Kendall O Dell passed away at his home in Warren, Oregon on May 11, 2010 under the care of his loving wife and family members and Legacy Hospice. He was born on July 11, 1948 to Ray and Shirley O Dell in Portland, Oregon. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He graduated from Wilson High School in Portland in 1966 and attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. During his school days, he played the accordion and trumpet and also played soccer and baseball. In anticipation of turning 16, Dennis worked many part time jobs earning enough money to purchase his first car, a three on the tree 1954 Plymouth Belvedere, which began his lifelong passion for cars.
In 1968, Dennis began a long and dedicated career with Western Bancorp, which through many mergers and acquisitions ultimately became Wells Fargo & Company. Dennis earned numerous awards and received much intensive training in his career as systems analyst for the information technology division. He was devoted to his position at the bank and retired just last year.
After struggling with drugs and alcohol in his 20 s and early 30 s, Dennis found sobriety in 1982. He worked diligently on his recovery, and in 1986 he had the honor of serving as Chairperson of the Columbia River Young Peoples Round-Up. He met many of his lifelong friends in recovery, and this was always an integral part of who he was.
Dennis suffered from liver disease later in life, eventually necessitating a liver transplant. A partial transplant from a live donor, his dear friend Robert on February 14, 2003, gave him the gift of more than seven wonderful years. In that time, he married his beautiful wife Susan Barnes on June 11, 2006 and they have spent their lives together in the country in Warren, Oregon. He was also able to continue his employment, enjoy 34 years as a Portland Trail Blazer season ticket holder, golf, ski, take pleasure in home improvement projects and make his famous blueberry waffles for the family every Mother s Day.
Dennis and Susan loved to travel to Cancun and Sedona, Arizona with their good friends where they spent numerous weeks each year. On one of their recent trips to Mexico they experienced the adventure of their lives being caught in Hurricane Wilma, holed-up in a crowded, makeshift shelter for more than 4 days.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Susan; father and mother, Ray and Shirley; brothers Stephen Hilary of Redondo Beach , CA and his four grown children; David Debie and his four children of Hokenson, WA; his grandson Evan and five step children and their children. Dennis was predeceased by his sister Laura. We will all miss Dennis passion, his persistence and tenacity through adversity, his incredible wit and humor and his love for wife Susan, grandson Evan, his family and friends.
A celebration of Dennis life will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2010 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 3405 SW Alice, Portland, OR 97219 .
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