Jim Odermann, West Point graduate and Army veteran, died April 22,
2024, in Richland, Washington. Born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, on May 6,
1948, Jim grew up on the Oregon coast in Gold Beach. He enjoyed fishing
with his dad on the Rogue River and in the Pacific Ocean. Jim was an
active Boy Scout and loved sports. He lettered in football and wrestling in
high school and was class president both junior and senior years. He was
also an active member through high school of the Presbyterian Youth
Group. Upon graduating from Gold Beach Union High School in 1966, he
joined the Class of 1970 at the United States Military Academy.
Jim was a great athlete, particularly in rugby, and everyone’s friend as a
cadet. He participated in the Fine Arts Forum, Behavior Science, and
German language groups. He graduated in 1970 as a Second Lieutenant in
the Army. He married his high school sweetheart, Janice Johnson, on June 27, 1970.
Jim then attended officer schools at Forts Benning and Sill before moving to his first assignment at Fort
Lewis, Washington. He served in the 212th Field Artillery as a Forward Observer, Battery Fire Direction
Officer, and Battery Executive Officer. His next assignment was to the First Armored Division in Furth,
Germany at the William O Darby Kaserne. He returned to Fort Lewis in 1975 to serve in the First
Battalion of the 84
th Field Artillery as a Fire Support Officer and Battery Commander. He commanded his
battery for 21 months until deciding to leave the Army in 1979.
Jim then began a varied and exciting civilian career working in management in (chemicals, power,
electricity, and nuclear waste.) They lived in Tacoma, Washington for 14 years, and moved to Vancouver,
Washington for the next 21 years. During the early 2000’s Jim served as President and Vice President of
their homeowner’s association. In 2009 they moved to Richland, Washington where Jim served as a
project manager for the Hanford Nuclear site. Jim retired in September 2018.
Jim loved being with family and was always up for a riveting game of cribbage with his children and
grandchildren. He enjoyed downhill skiing and winter getaways with family to the mountains. He
coached his children in youth soccer. Jim enjoyed planting and working in his garden, baking bread and
cooking alongside Janice. Jim was famous for his homemade Caesar salad and proud of the family recipe
for Swedish pancakes. He always looked for a reason to wear his apron and chef’s hat and fire up his
BBQ.
He and Janice had a passion for cruising the world. Over the years he and Janice hosted and participated
in many mini-reunions with his West Point D-3 company-mates. Despite failing health, Jim continued to
cherish the friendships he had formed with his cadet classmates.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Donola Odermann and by daughter Jenni
Odermann who died three days after birth in 1975. He is survived by his wife, Janice, children Jeena
Graham (Bob), Jaime Ferruzca, and Jay Odermann as well as five grandchildren, Jenni Azanedo (Alvaro),
Alexander Ferruzca (Sabrina), Shailee Graham, Shelby Graham, and Orville Odermann.
A celebration of Jim’s life will take place at Sunset Gardens, 915 By Pass Highway, Richland,
Washington, from 12 PM to 3 PM on July 26, 2024. Jim will be cremated and inurned with full military
honors in Eugene, Oregon, at Lane Memorial Gardens on July 29 at 2 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations go to the Class of 1970, United States Military
Academy, West Point, NY,
http://usma1970.com/ewExternalFiles/West%20Point%20Challenge%202024.pdf, or to the
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7952, 1369 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99354