Lewis Clifford Odneal

The end of an era, Lewis Clifford Odneal, aka, papa Lou, Lewboy, Louie the cat, and grandpa, passed away on Sunday, March 20,2022.

Visitation for Lewis will be held at Howard's Funeral Chapel on Thursday, March 24th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  Funeral services will be held on Friday morning, March 25th at 10:00 am at the Prairie Home Methodist Church with Pastor Don Almond officiating.  Burial will follow at Clayton Cemetery in Overton, MO.

Lewis was born in Prairie Home on September 16, 1926 to William L and Lowell Odneal.  He was the oldest of five children. Lewis graduated from Prairie Home High School in 1944 and enlisted into the Army.  After his enlistment, Lewis enrolled into Central College in Fayette, MO to study theology.  During this time he met the great love of his life, Dorothy Irene Wolfe, who was working at the candy counter of Mattingly's store in Boonville.  While they may have been poor in the early days of their marriage, they soon became rich with the love of children:  Sharon, Karen, Dan, Steve, Joe and Teresa.

After graduation from Central College, Lewis and Dot packed up their three little children and moved to Texas where Lewis entered post-graduate studies at Perkins Seminary at Southern Methodist University to become an ordained Methodist Minister. 

Lewis had a long and distinctive career serving multiple churches (large and small, city and rural).  He was active in the Masons for over 50 years, amassing numerous stations and awards, including the highest Masonic award for Beneficence.  Lewis was also active in multiple community programs, such as the Lion's Club and Rotary Club.  After retirement, Lewis traveled to the Dominican Republic twice to help build schools and churches.  Lewis' life was one of giving and support to his fellow man.  His passing has left a huge hole that will take many to fill.

Lewis was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dot, his parents, his brothers, Norman and Kelly Odneal, his sisters, Erla Lacy and Joanne Hart and his oldest son, Dan (Alice) Odneal.  He is survived by five of his six children:  Sharon Pyeatte, Karen Sharp, Steve (Tracy) Odneal, Joe Odneal, and Teresa (Kurt) Meyer, ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren.

Memorials are suggested to the Clayton Cemetery or the Prairie Home Methodist Church.

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