Richard Michael (Mike) O’Dell, 85, of Aurora, CO, passed away peacefully with his wife and children at his bedside on May 16, 2024 at Parker Adventist Hospital.

He was the second of five sons of William (Bill) and Leota (Cusick) O’Dell. Mike was born on August 6th, 1938 in Sheridan, WY. During his childhood, he and his family spent years building their family cabin in the Bighorn Mountains. It was a place where many fond memories were made. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1956 and was awarded a basketball scholarship to play at Sheridan Community College.

Mike was there for two years before he transferred to The University of Wyoming. He earned a bachelor’s degree and started his career working for the state of Wyoming. In 1974 he moved to Denver and began working for the department of health and human services. While working there, Mike met, as he always described, the love of his life, Kathy. They were married on October 21st, 1983. There they began their adventure and love-filled life as a family of six. He retired as a special agent after 25 years in the office of the inspector general.

Family was everything to Mike. He made holidays special with his baking, playing music from his eight tracks, immaculate present wrapping, and wanting everyone to be together.

Traveling with his wife, family, and friends were cherished memories for Mike. He started each day with the Denver Post Newspaper, completing the crossword puzzle and catching up on the latest news. He enjoyed sports. He even coached for a couple of seasons for a girls’ basketball team. Mike was always cheering on his children and grandchildren from the sidelines. At home, there was always a game on, especially if it was Denver or a UW team. He was a very loyal Denver Broncos fan.

Mike was an avid golfer and loved having his wife, children, and grandchildren tag along.

He was generous, hardworking, devoted, and had the best sense of humor.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tom, Pat, and Ed O’Dell; nephews, Andy, Justin, and Boden; in-laws, Elizabeth, and Stanley Hawkins, and many other beloved family members.

Mike is survived by his wife, Kathy of Aurora, Colorado; children Randy (Liz) of Redmond, Oregon, Brenda (Evan) of Johns Island, South Carolina, Jenny of Lakewood, Colorado, and Kevin of Denver, Colorado; Grandchildren Jessica (Matthew), Bailey, Brandon, Kya, Griffyn, Keagan, Colby; Great grandchildren Caleb, Lucas, Annabel; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and family members.

There will be a funeral service at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Mike may be made to The Denver Rescue Mission or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Sheridan Press â€" May 29, 2024.