Jeffrey Vaughn Odom

Jeffrey Vaughn Odom, 82, a beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away on January 6,

2025 at Brightview Rolling Hills Senior Living. He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret

Odom, his children Jeffrey Odom, Jr. (Elizabeth), Russell Odom (Jill) and his cherished

grandchildren, Carly Odom, Mandy Odom, and Olivia Odom, and his brothers James (Jeanne)

and Henry Odom.

Jeff grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland and graduated in 1964 with a degree in physics from the

University of Maryland, College Park. He worked at the National Bureau of Standards in

Gaithersburg. In 1967 he received a Master of Science degree in Measurement Science from

George Washington University. In 1968, the U.S. Congress authorized the three-year U.S. Metric

Study. Jeff became an integral part of that study surveying businesses, manufacturers, local and

state officials and went on international fact-finding trips. His work continued on that program

until 1978 when he felt God called him into full time ministry. In 1979 he and his family moved

to Kentucky for him to attend Asbury Theological Seminary where he graduated in 1982 with a

Masters of Divinity degree.

In 1982 the Baltimore Conference of the United Methodist Church assigned Jeff to the Carrolls-

Gills UMC churches in Lutherville, MD where he served for six years. He supported the

development of the Baltimore County Christian Workcamp that continues in its 42 nd year to help

those in need. He initialed the Maryland Walk to Emmaus with a UMC lay person (under the

auspices of The United Methodist Church Board of Discipleship for The Upper Room) in 1986.

He served on the Board of Directors several times as the Spiritual Director. As led by the Lord,

he served on many Maryland Walk to Emmaus weekends as a Spiritual Director. The program

continues now under a new name but still calls people to develop a new and closer relationship

with our Lord.

In 1988, he began to serve Calvary UMC in Gamber, MD for five years. In 1989 Jeff and Marge

went on their first Costa Rica mission trip which led to Jeff leading the teams for almost 20

years. The trips continued until 2019 under new God filled leaders. Teens and adult lives were

changed with some of those people being called into full time ministry and others’ life priorities

rearranged. In 1992 he became a member and then President of the Board of Alpha Pregnancy

Center in Reisterstown, MD which serves those in crisis pregnancies. He continued to serve as a

Board member until 2021.

In 1993, he began to serve Wesley UMC in Hampstead, MD for eleven years. In 2005 Jeff

responded to the disaster relief need after Hurricane Katrina. In addition to going to the Gulf a

number of times, he led disaster relief teams in Texas, Mississippi, North Carolina and Maryland.

In 2013 he responded to the Lord’s call to help Jessalyn Waddell have teams go to Guatemala to

help serve families. He led teams when Steps of Hope began in August 2015.

In 2024 Jeff began to serve Millers Bixlers UMC churches in Manchester, MD for four years. He

continued his Wednesday night Bible Studies with church members. He retired from full time

ministry in 2008.

In 2009 Jeff became the Catonsville UMC Pastor of Visitation until December 2021. His gift of

visitation flourished during those years. He visited parishioners and families in homes, hospitals,

and extended care facilities. He made many long-term relationships with those he served. On

occasion he gave sermons.

CONFERENCE/DISTRICT SERVICE:

 Secretary, Conference Evangelism Committee (1985-1989)

 Chair, Conference Family Life Committee (1990-1993)

 Member, District Council on Ministries (1989-1994)

 Member, District Committee on Ordained Ministry (1993-1995)

 Chair, District Committee on Ordained Ministry (1995-2004)

 Member, Conference Board of Ordained Ministry (1996-2004)

 Candidacy Guide/Mentor for Candidates for Ministry (1991-2001)

 Conference Volunteer in Ministry (VIM) Coordinator (2004-2008)

Jeff enjoyed vacations with our family. We especially selected many different National Parks to

visit. The longest adventure was a three-week driving trip across the US to California and back

on a different route. He was supportive of his sons in sports and other activities. He enjoyed

photography and developed a dark room in one home. Jeff loved gardening and having vegetable

gardens before being called into ministry and at each church he served. Each year, he developed

a plan for the vegetable gardens for proper crop rotation. He also enjoyed many musical genres

and had an extensive collection of CDs. Life stood still when our granddaughters were born. He

loved them very much and liked spending time with them. He cheered them on in their sports

and dance activities.

One of Jeff’s passions was leading Wednesday night Bible Studies with the congregations he

served. Many came to know the Lord and to learn more about God’s word. His favorite verse

was Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love

him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

In lieu of flowers, Jeff requested that gifts be given to Steps of Hope – Guatemala. He was

deeply involved and committed to this ministry that brought hope for a better life through the

education of the 160 children who attend this remedial educational program in Santa Maria de

Jesus, Guatemala. Donations can be made to Steps of Hope – Guatemala with In Memory of

Jeffrey Odom on the memo line. Send checks to Steps of Hope – Guatemala at 2208 Rockwell

Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228.