Donald Gene Odean, Sr., 85, of Hershey, NE, died Sunday, March 3, 2013, at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte, NE.

Don was born February 13, 1928, to Swan Emanuel and Zida Daisy Eckhoff Odean in Hershey where he lived his entire life except for two tours of duty in Uncle Sam’s Army. He served from May 1946 to March 1947 and October 1950 to October 1952 during the Korean Conflict.

In May 1948, Don hired out with the Union Pacific Railroad with the Bridge and Building Department and worked until his retirement (due to a disability) on February 1, 1987.

In July 1953, Don married Lillie Walton and to this union three children were born, Debbie, Kim and Don, Jr. They later divorced in May 1973.

Don was a member of the Hershey American Legion Paul R. Martin Post #279, past member of the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department and former Fire Chief. He enjoyed garage sales and sports, was an avid Husker fan and outdoors man and was a regular mall walker. Don delivered Meals-On-Wheels at Hershey and picked up the food for the Hershey Senior Center.

Survivors include his children, Debbie Evans, of North Platte, Kim (Ellen) Odean, of Hershey and Don, Jr. (Gayle), of Redding, CA; five grandchildren, Angie (Jeremy) Sanford, Tina Crowell, Travis (Teresa) Evans, Lucas (Alicia) Odean and Cassidy (Brooke) Odean; 12 great-grandchildren, Emma, Brady and Alise Odean, Presley Odean, Logan and Lainee Evans, Aaron Smith, Kelsey Crowell, Jessie Bates, Allysa Odean, Joey Sheets and Bailee Sanford; three great great-grandchildren, Aden, Carly and Jordon; two nephews, Kerry (Mary) Odean and Robert Odean; numerous cousins and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Swan and Zida Odean; a brother, James “Jimmy” (Betty) Odean; and a grandson, Cyrus Odean.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 7, 2013, at the Hershey American Legion Paul R. Martin Post #279 with Gary Smith officiating. Causal dress is requested. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Hershey American Legion or Hershey Senior Center. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.