Odis Lamar Waymack, age 91

On Saturday, August 31, 2024, Odis Lamar Waymack left behind his loving wife of 68 years, Barbara Jean. He passed away at the golden age of 91 in Cabot, Arkansas where he had been living in the home of his youngest son and daughter-in-law for the past month under the care of Arkansas Hospice.

As his health deteriorated, Odis announced on Monday, August 26th that he would be “checking out at the end of the month” and that his destination was Heaven. He encouraged his Hospice nurse to do all that she needed to do for him that Monday afternoon because he wouldn’t be around for her next weekly visit. He kept his word as he quietly and peacefully slipped away with family at his bedside, on the last day of the month.

Odis was born March 28, 1933, in Cabot, Arkansas to Oscar Loney and Myrtle Efton (Carrington) Waymack. He was their fourth son and the ninth of their sixteen children.

Odis proudly served in the Navy from 1951 – 1955 during the Korean War era. He met the love of his life in the year 1955 and she became his bride on January 14, 1956. He served in the Air Force from 1955-1959 as an aircraft mechanic. During his stay in the Air Force, Odis and Barbara lived a happy and simple life in Bermuda where their first son was born in 1957. After leaving the Air Force in 1959, their life journey together led them to California where their next two sons would be born in 1962 and 1964. They resided in California for approximately four years before moving back to Arkansas. The family lived in Sylvan Hills for five years before returning to the Cabot area. After returning to Arkansas, Odis served in the Arkansas Air National Guard until 1980. During his years of service, Odis was deployed to Japan from mid-1968 until early 1969 during the Vietnam War. Odis was a jack-of-all trades and held a license as a Master Electrician. His work took him and Barbara to places such as North Dakota, Texas, and New Mexico to complete jobs in construction. In 1983, Odis began to lose his vision due to an eye disorder and life as he knew it changed drastically. He traveled to the Mayo Clinic for treatment and then attended a school for the blind in Birmingham, Alabama to learn to cope with his new lifestyle. Odis was a hardworking and determined man, and he did not let the sudden onset of his vision impairment keep him down. He attended the Lyons Club School for the Blind where he learned to use computers at the age of 57. He was then hired by the IRS and he and Barbara packed their bags and moved to Seattle, Washington in 1991 to embark on yet another journey together. They returned to Cabot in 1994 and have remained here since. Odis served on the Cabot City Council from 2000 through 2006 and he was well respected by the community of Cabot. Odis and Barbara lived a life full of love and adventures together while raising a family of their own and enjoying time with their extended family members.

Odis was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers: Mack, Charlie, Ray, Buddy, and Gene; five sisters: Lorene aka Sister, Alcidean aka Scooter, Natalie, Verlene, and Mary Beth; his oldest son, Steve Waymack; and a granddaughter, Jacy Waymack.

Left to treasure his memory and carry on his legacy for the years to come is his loving and devoted wife, Barbara Jean (Harrison) Waymack of Cabot; his sons: Kenny (Pam) Waymack of Velvet Ridge and Ronnie (Tracy) Waymack of Cabot; seven grandchildren: Jordan Victory, Josh (Kelly) Waymack, Ashley (Steven) Merrell, Seth Waymack, Bruce (Cindy) Waymack, Jacob (Sara) Waymack, Luke (Talon) Waymack; nine great grandchildren: Aubrey Victory, Finley Waymack, Hadlee Jo Waymack, Laken Merrell, Hannah (Jason) Fritts, Rachael Vickers, Brantley Waymack (Amy – Brantley’s mom), Charlee Mae Waymack, and Wylder Waymack; three great-great grandsons: James Fritts, Noah Fritts, Maverick Goldman; two brothers: Jerry Waymack of Cabot and Ron (Carma) Waymack of Cabot; three sisters: Gertie (Bill) Vineyard of Illinois, Louise (Bo) Williams of Cabot, and Ann (Robert) Gilliam of Cabot, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members and friends.

As described by one of his grandsons, “Pappaw Waymack was as stubborn as a mule and a little rough around the edges, but as kindhearted and good natured as they come”. Odis held a vast knowledge on an array of subjects and thought he was always right…and he usually was! He loved to share his wisdom and loved a good debate. He loved his family, and nothing would light up his face more, with that beautiful smile, than a visit from one of his grandchildren or great grandchildren. That Hollywood smile and handsome face was just one of the ways he hooked Barbara, so many years ago! He would lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He spoke his mind, and he made no apologies for his opinions. His passion drove him regardless of the task at hand. He has left us with countless memories to treasure such as farm-life, working on airplanes and trucks, fishing in Bermuda, and family life with sixteen siblings, just to name a few! Like the ripple effect of one stone being dropped into the water, a multitude of lives have been forever changed by the 91 years that Odis was upon this earth. He will never be forgotten, and he will be forever missed and loved.

The Waymack family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers from Seniors Serving Seniors and all the team at Arkansas Hospice who have devotedly cared for both Odis and Barbara, especially in the past month. We couldn’t have lovingly cared for him at home without their help and we are forever grateful for their dedication to the calling of caring for others.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024 from 6:00-8:00pm in the chapel at A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Arkansas. The funeral service will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024 at 2:00pm in the chapel. Burial to follow after the service at Sumner Cemetery.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com