Curtis Odell Scism
Curtis Odell Scism was born in Elk City, Oklahoma, December 27, 1945, to Eugene Tipton Scism and Velma Curlock Scism. Surrounded by family and friends Odell passed away peacefully April 28, 2024, while in the care of Faith Presbyterian Hospice, Rockwall, Texas. Odell fought the hardest fight of his life against the rarest of skin cancers, Merkel Cell Carcinoma.
Although his dad died early in his life, Odell grew up in Sayre, Oklahoma, surrounded by a loving family and lots of friends. He began a life of good work ethics at a young age while delivering newspapers on his bike then during his high school years he worked for The United grocery store. With sports activities being squelched by a knee injury during middle school, in high school he participated in extracurricular activities where he excelled in DECA, sang in choir ensembles, became Junior Class President, member of the Student Council his Senior year and began his love of Electronics. He graduated High School with the Class of 1964. While working at Dorate, a local cable company Odell earned an Associate Degree in Electronics from Sayre Junior College which led to a job with Westinghouse in Oklahoma City.
Always wanting to do his patriotic duty for his country Odell joined the U.S. Navy in 1966 receiving his naval training in San Diego and then Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay, California. Although he spent a small amount of time aboard two other ships he was assigned to a newly commissioned Guided Missile Destroyer, the USS Parsons, DDG 33 spending two years and fifty-one weeks aboard that vessel. Immediately his ship was at sea eight months doing trials and tests to make sure the Parsons and men were war ready. His job was mainly to keep the electronic communications running, but his responsibilities varied drastically. His ship provided gun fire support for operations on the ground in the war zone, protection of aircraft carriers, search, rescue, checking shipping, often spending thirty to forty-five days straight in the war zone in and around Vietnam. His tours of duty required his ship to be at sea six or more months at a time in the Western Pacific. One time while his ship was sent to Korea as tensions escalated between countries, the Parsons was tightly surrounded by fishing junks until the problem was finally resolved. Once while in Cebu, Philippine Islands, Odell and others voluntarily painted the buildings of a Leper Colony, navy grey and white being the only colors available in the ship’s supplies. Odell was generous and anxious to help. Those qualities defined him all of his life.
Odell loved Navy life, the adventure and opportunity to nurture his love of history by visiting World War II sites in Southeast Asia; however, during one of his leaves back home he reconnected with a former classmate, Vickii Nicholson. She and her daughter from a previous marriage were living in Sayre. With one six-month tour of duty left to complete, Odell and Vickii began their fifty-four years of married life in 1969. Odell was honorably discharged with many medals for his service then joined the Navy Reserves once he landed a good job back in Texas.
Odell, Vickii and daughter India, traveled across the United States in search of work but electronic technicians were being laid off. Finally, Odell landed his career job at Xerox Corporation in Dallas, TX. As a technician Odell worked for thirty-five years at Xerox before retiring then added another ten years at the Xerox Rehab Center. Again, Odell’s work ethics and dedication earned him awards and trips to the Caribbean he and Vickii enjoyed. Odell made life-long friends throughout his Xerox career.
During the last several years up until a few months ago Odell worked in Security for Texans Credit Union. He felt so blessed to work with such wonderful people.
In 1974 son Clint was born and Odell adopted India adding more adventure and joy to the small Scism family. Odell was a Christian man who loved the Lord as he and his family spent years working with their church. One might see Odell under a crib with a toddler as he and Vickii worked with two-year olds or interacting with the Navajo or Hopi children while working with the church youth group during one of several mission trips to Arizona. Odell was a deacon of the church, a Boy Scout leader and a man of principles valuing honesty, hard work, and generosity, always ready to help when he saw a need. He made many trips to his home town to visit with his mother and siblings. He loved them all.
Odell loved to take motor cycle trips with his bud Roger and go on road trips across the country with Vickii and the grandkids. He loved sports, attending the grandkid’s games, musicals, watching Westerns with Vickii or historical documentaries any time. He was a fix-it man, collecting and storing gadgets ready for future use. He made sure his family took a family vacation most years. Memory building was important to him.
Above all, Odell’s grand and great grandchildren were the greatest joy in his life, his crowning glory. From the first grandchild to the last, Odell immersed himself in their lives. Kristine, Ruby, Gavin, Aubrey and Kassey made him smile as he was so proud of them. He and Vickii loved them together with all their hearts.
Odell, Opie, Dad, Popa, we have loved you so much and will miss you forever.
Odell was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Velma Scism; a brother Preston Scism, sister Howardine Martin and husband Bob Martin, sister Velva Criswell, a nephew Rodney Criswell; and many aunts and uncles.
Left to cherish Odell’s memory are: his wife Vickii of Garland, Texas, son Clint Scism and Rachael Flowerette of Garland Texas; daughter India of Sulphur Springs, Texas; sister Elsie Petitt Elk City, OK; brother Doug Scism Perkins, OK; a sister-in law Mary Scism of Oklahoma City, OK; brother-in-law Bob Criswell Sayre, OK; much loved grandchildren Kristine Vinzce and husband Chad of Sulphur Springs, TX; Ruby Scism of Garland, TX; Great grandchildren: Gavin Roed, Aubrey Fleming and Kassey Vincze of Sulphur Springs, TX. He is survived by cherished nieces and nephews: Ronnie, Teresa, Becky, Debbie, Natalie, Curtis, Jason, Ethan, Bryan and Jim Paul.
A brief Military Service will be held at The Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, June 7, at 3:00 P.M. with a Celebration of Life Memorial held on the same day at 5:00 P.M. at 7001 Calm Meadow Court, Garland, TX.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nursing staff at Texas Health Hospital in Rockwall, Texas, and Dr. David Sher of UT Southwestern Medical Center, for his knowledge and fighting spirit against the little-known enemy that took Odell’s life. Appreciation goes to Williams Funeral Home for their assistance.