Neal Byrd Odom III (NB), age 81 of Denison, Texas peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

Neal was born to the parents of Neal Odom Junior and Jean, Leah Webb Odom in Ashland, Kentucky. Neal was a proud participant of the ROTC and graduated from Ashland high in 1962 shortly after that, he found himself in Columbus Mississippi during the late 50s early 60s taking on a job at the local radio station, WIRO in Ironton, Ohio and WACR Columbus, Mississippi as a dish jockey overnight that is where Mr. Sandman was presented for the first time. That lead him into many entertainment, events, and private parties. Neal also introduced to the world Tulley The Clown, Doctor It and also at Christmas being Santa. He would play many roles and would continue those throughout the early 90s. During to an onset of paralysis called Bell's palsy he was made to quit.

Along with all the fun side of him, his main foundation and passion was for the love of the Lord, serving the churches from Kentucky, Mississippi, and finding himself in Tucson, Arizona where he was married and had three children Neal Odom the fourth, Wayne who passed at birth and their youngest Crystal Lynn. At that time he was working various jobs, but the main source of income was being a letter carrier for the US mail in July 1976 he found himself being incarcerated to Terminal Island Federal Prison leading him to leaning on his faith and devotion making what was for a horrible situation into his favor as he was able to attend bible studies and a jail program while incarcerated allowing Neal to be the first Inmate to preach the word of God inside the state federal prison system in 1977. After a brief stay, he was parole to Pacific Christian College in Fullerton, California, where he was given the opportunity of worshiping in the singles group meeting Judith McDonald a recently single mother of two, Jeanne and Marty.   Finding great fondness of each other and were married January 10 of 1981 the blended family of the McDonald's and Odom's united. Neal and Judy were heavily involved with blended families and leading to their ministry of Lighthouse Prison Ministry, which then led to a larger platform with Prison Fellowship. Prison fellowship Angel Tree would be the families service for 22 years handling over a half of million children of incarcerated men and women through  the mid 90s.  Judy and Neal found the Lord calling their passion in a different direction celebrate recovery was one with no knowledge of alcoholism or drug abuse, but with their faith and trust in the Lord, they made that huge leap of faith and transitioned in the ministry, as well as in relocating their home to Denison, Texas. Where they found their forever home on Davy Ln. Neal was called to Park Avenue and other local churches to establish the network of Celebrate Recovery  and Angel tree as well as World Bible School gaining a wonderful group of like-minded fellow believers and leading those who are lost and waiting to find the Lord's passion and call for action open the doors of three CR to be operational in the last 18 years.

In addition, Neal and Judy not only served the church, but also the local community with Helping Hands, Meals on Wheels, as well as volunteering with the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.

Neal's love for helping others was the profound passion for his life. He loves serving next to his wife, the greatest accomplishment finding a spouse with a heart and devotion such as his. Neal is a man of God and action and with little words, however, his actions spoke louder than any word.

Neal's Legacy leaves behind his children, his grandchildren and the absolute love and devotion of his wife and will live on  in many hearts all over the world.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 1:00 P.M. at Park Avenue Church of Christ, Denison, TX, with Brother Basil McClure officiating. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Denison, TX.  Pallbearers will be Liam Scholl, Kirk Pendergrass, Marshall McDonald, Neal Odom IV, Matthew Mcdonald, Benjamin Nystorm, Blaine Britain.