Evan Duane O’Dell, 41, passed from this life to the next on January 15, 2025 after living with glioblastoma for more than three years.

A Louisville, Kentucky native, Evan preferred to live his life quietly in service and support of others. After a brief sojourn in teaching, Evan proudly served Henrico County Police as a School Resource Officer. He dreamed big dreams for those he loved and dedicated his energy to bringing those dreams to fruition. In his own way, Evan was an artist -- designing and building a treehouse for his children, rebuilding walls and fixing plumbing for his wife, refinishing furniture, and dabbling in countless other home improvement projects about which he ruminated. His practical and creative fingerprints are on every wall of his home. An avid outdoorsman, Evan was never happier than when he was wandering in the woods, fishing after dark, or climbing a mountain.

More than anything, he loved his children, Georgia (13) and Will (10), through whom he will continue to create things and serve people on this side of eternity.

Evan is survived by his wife of nearly twenty years, Rebekah; his children, Georgia and Will; his parents, Grant and Debi O’Dell; and his sister, Julia O’Dell (Zack Poehlein). He is preceded in death by many loving family members and his best pals, Huck, Wally, and Gatsby.

Evan would join his family in wanting to thank the many incredible, brilliant, and compassionate people who tirelessly worked to extend his life with the best possible quality so that he could watch his children grow up. In particular, immense gratitude goes to Tracy Novak and Dr. Mustafa Khasraw (Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University), Dr. Mary Lucchesi, Dr. Susan Schaffer, Elizabeth Mangano (St. Mary’s), and, our rock, Brandi Downing (Cullather Brain Tumor Quality of Life Center). Many thanks to Legacy Hospice who provided the most gentle, intuitive care in Evan’s last days, especially Marilyn O’Neill and Jessica Krebs.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bon Air United Methodist Church, the Cullather Brain Tumor Quality of Life Center, or the Henrico Police Foundation. 

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