Obituary of Leo Edwin Odegard

Leo Odegard

Sept 3, 1939- Dec 22, 2019

After a courageous battle with Multiple systems atrophy, Leo was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Sunday December 22, 2019.  

Leo was loved by many and leaves a beautiful legacy to his family and friends.   Preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Dorothy Odegard and his older brother, Ralph Odegard.  He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patty, Children: Dolly (Shane) Gagnon, Rich Odegard, Debby (Eric Davis) Leavell and Kelli (Scott) Symer, 16 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren, sister Janice, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Leo attended Stadium High school and graduated from Lincoln High school.  He was known for his hard work ethic and spent many decades in the Automotive repair industry beginning at Walker Chevrolet and Stroud’s autobody and then as owner of Odegard’s Auto Body in Tacoma, WA. During those years he was a founding member and served as president of Tacoma sunrise Rotary and the local chapter of ASA. He was well loved and respected by his peers as a man of integrity, loyalty and generosity. During his time in Hawaii he served as an elder at New Hope Waimea church where his faith in Jesus grew and strengthened.

His hobbies included fishing, golf and home improvement. There was nothing he could not do when he got an idea in his head and he was constantly working, inventing and helping others with projects. He loved to teach others and enjoyed sharing his hobbies with his children and grandchildren as well as numerous friends. Some of his many achievements include 6 holes-in-one, building his own home (more than once) and refurbishing a 1931 Ford Model A. He loved reading, cooking, crosswords, gardening and spending time with family.  He was well known for his sense of humor and frequent pranks.

He will be missed by all who loved him and we look forward to being reunited with him one day.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Systems Atrophy coalition: https://www.multiplesystematrophy.org/msa-donation/msa-memorial-donations/  or Franciscan Hospice: https://www.chifranciscan.org/our-foundations.html