O’Dell Young

Rex O’Dell Young, 90, of Idaho Falls, passed away August 14, 2024. He was under the care of Hands of Hope and The Gables of Shelley.

O’Dell was born September 11, 1933, in Iona, Idaho, to Phares Philip Young and Thelma Frandson Young and is the fourth of eight children. He has fond memories of his childhood growing up in Iona – going hunting with a real flipper crotch, swimming in the canals and sleeping in Scoresby’s orchard. He worked alongside his family during the depression years hoeing beets and picking potatoes. He attended school in Iona and graduated from Bonneville High School. His high school days were full of activities, lettering in football and basketball. He was also very popular with the girls because of his dancing ability and would frequently talk about his 1st place winning of the dance competition.

After high school graduation in 1952, he took classes at Idaho State University and Glenn Clark Business College. He served in the U.S. Army from May 1953 until January of 1955. He would get homesick and hitchhike home from Fort Ord in California to see his mother and family. Wearing his uniform helped get him rides, but when he didn’t have his uniform, he’d do what he could to catch a bus. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California Mission.

On August 28,1959, he married Eva Kathleen Butler in the Idaho Falls Temple. He met Eva for the first time at a roller-skating rink, and at first glance he said, “I’m going to marry that girl.” It’s an understatement to say that Eva was the love of his life. They were married nearly 61 years as they stuck together through thick and thin. O’Dell took care of her through her several years of dementia, and she passed away in August of 2020. His heart was broken. O’Dell and Eva had eight children, and as Eva would say … “Jed, JaLeen, Kyle, Travis, Terri, Rhett, Ryan and, oh, my Bunny.”

O’Dell was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various capacities including Bishop, High Council, Ward Clerk, and Scout Master. His favorite was Scoutmaster. He became well-known through the camp cooking his famous scones and potatoes & onions (Sheepherders Potatoes), and always had more boys and staff hanging around for his cooking. He enjoyed fishing, camping, cooking, boating, and a good western movie.

He was an entrepreneur at heart and started many businesses over his lifetime – Furniture Fair, O’Dell’s Furniture, and Hidden Treasures to name a few. He loved to garage-sale in his later years, and nothing could stop him from a good deal. He always had a truck full of new deals and semi-loads of furniture stacked in the aisles with “no place to put it!”

He loved his children without end. He supported them in all capacities as a father. He attended countless soccer, baseball, and basketball games. He supported them in every phase of their lives. A Christ-like love and example to his children and grandchildren.

O’Dell is survived by his children, Jed O’Dell (Alison) Young of Shelley, ID, Jaleen Kay (Mark) Cole, Kyle (Kelly) Young of Springville, UT, Travis (Michelle) Young of Ammon, ID, Terri Lyn (Marvin) Parker of Idaho Falls, ID, Eva Valae Bunny (Brandt) Burton of Idaho Falls, ID, and Ryan Philip (Lakoda) Young of Idaho Falls, ID; three sisters, Yvonne (Willard) Berry of Idaho Falls, ID, Mary (Tony deceased) De St. Jeor of Denver, CO, and Valae (Terry) Olson of Idaho Falls, ID; 38 grandchildren and 67 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Eva Kathleen Young; sister, Romaine Heaton; three brothers, Lloyd Young, Swede Young, and Theo Young; and his son, Rhett Butler Young.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Idaho Falls Parley Ward, 1660 12th Street, with Bishop Jardine officiating. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 6:30-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and Friday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery. Military Honors will be performed by the Jefferson County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.