Larry Odom retires from commission
For much of his life in one capacity or another, “The Colonel” has rolled up his sleeves and gotten to work on trying to make his community a better place.
So it was with bittersweet thoughts in mind that city commissioners thanked him for all he had done for Cedartown during the past years as Col. Larry Odom sat with the board for his final meeting before officially retiring.
Odom, an U.S. Air Force veteran and former 911 director, wrapped up a decade of service as a Cedartown City Commissioner during the Dec. 11 regular session, the last of the year.
He left his commissioners with several pieces of advice before the meeting came to a close, shared a joke and said how much he loved those he worked with over the years.
He reminded commissioners however that they should follow his parting wisdom in their future service. Those included “never believe the first story, because there’s always another side to it.”
“The next thing I say is do the right thing for the most people, and not the loudest people, but the most people,” Odom added. “Third thing and probably the most important is chain of command. The one way to mess an organization up and kill the morale is to start by violating the chain of command.”
Odom should know. His long experience includes nearly 28 years in the United State Air Force, where he flew combat missions over Southeast Asia, and was later part of the Stra- tegic Air Command’s nuclear deterrent force.
His service went beyond just serving his country, he also served his fellow man before retiring at the rank of Colonel. He helped establish Operation Warm Heart while serving at Minot
Air Force Base in North Dakota during Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s campaign to end Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.
Operation Warm Heart was created to help dependants of Air Force personnel on the base serving overseas, and it later expanded into a statewide program in North Dakota still in operation to this day.
Additionally, Odom served as Director of Polk’s 911 service for a number of years as well.
During his service in the Air Force, Odom was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Legion of Merit award.
Before finishing his comments, Odom said he left the commission in “good hands.”
“I’m grateful that I got to work with such a wonderful group of people,” he said.
City Manager Bill Fann said that on behalf of himself and the other managers of city departments, it was an honor to work under his direction, especially when he served as the Commmission’s chair in 2016. Odom previously served as chair from 2008 to 2010 before Fann was hired on as the city manager for Cedartown.
“You’ve been steadfast in your resolve for what is right and what is fair while chairing this organization, and you did it efficiently, effectively and with integrity,” Fann said. “We applaud your service to the county and the city. Well done sir.”
Odom received a standing ovation after Fann’s comments.
Before adjourning, commissioners added their own thoughts and well-wishes for Odom’s future.
Commissioner Andrew Carter thanked Odom for his help with providing him with mentorship as a new member during the past year, and additionally cited him as an inspiration.
“I do want to say too that I’m going to miss your corny jokes,” Commissioner Dale Tuck said.
He promised to send some along.
Foster added his well wishes, and so did chair Jordan Hubbard, who took over the job from Odom and said he was thankful for his trust.
Odom’s spot on the Cedartown City Commission is being filled at the beginning of the year by Jessica Brewster Payton, who won out in a fourperson race for the commission this year with incumbents Foster and Hubbard.