Obituary of James O'Dell

James Ellsworth "Digger" O'Dell Sr., 74, of Felton, passed away May 20 at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz after a long battle with Myasthenia Gravis. Born to parents William and Theresa on August 7, 1936, in Hudson County, N.J., Mr. O'Dell was spotted by the New York Yankees at the age of 16, though his mother said he was too young to leave home and play baseball. He later joined the military as a driver, but his service was shortened due to family needs. However, this did not diminish his love of country nor his support of Veterans. In 1966, the family relocated to Santa Cruz County, settling in a home in Soquel. He was employed as a cross-country trucker for many years, blowing his air horn as he arrived home to let neighborhood kids know he was back, and offered rides in the truck and camping out in the trailer at night. In the time spent at home, Mr. O'Dell, a life-long fan of Giants baseball from New York to San Francisco, was very active in the early years of Little League Baseball in the Santa Cruz, Capitola-Soquel, Live Oak, and Scotts Valley leagues, coaching his children and spreading his love of the game to many youth over two decades at the field. Kids would marvel at his hitting a ball regularly from the big Soquel field farthest from Old San Jose Road, over two ball parks and onto that street. He volunteered to transport band equipment for Soquel High in the mid-1970s in one of his trucks. For the past 20 years, James had battled health issues which progressively worsened due to Myasthenia Gravis, and was cared for at home by Cindy Long. He bravely battled the illness, continuing to work as long as he could in his own airport shuttle service, while volunteering for experimental procedures in hopes of these someday helping others so afflicted. He is survived by his former spouse of 22 years, Helen Hartman of Buford, Ga.; brother William of Aloha, Ore.; sons James Jr. of Flowery Branch, Ga., Brian of Santa Cruz, Kevin of Flowery Branch, Ga., Ronald of Indian Hills, Nev.; and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on June 4 at The Congregational Church of Soquel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in James' name to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 355 Lexington Ave 15th Fl, New York, NY 10017; secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=04ca67.