Date Of Birth: March 3, 1947
Date Of Death: October 1, 2008
Michael D. O’Dea, 61, Carmel, passed away October 1, 2008 after a three month battle with brain cancer. He was born in Buffalo, New York to the late Edward D. and Kathryn E. Hoadley O’Dea on March 3, 1947. Michael grew up on Grand Island, New York and attended Seneca Vocational High School in Buffalo. He received his associate’s degree in Electrical Technology from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Delhi, his bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering Technology from Missouri Western State University and his master’s degree in Business Management from Amber University in Dallas, Texas. He proudly served as a Seabee in the United States Naval Construction Battalion for 26 years in active and reserve duty, retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer. Michael served in Vietnam and was recalled to active duty for Operation Desert Storm. Michael worked and taught in the construction industry for 41 years. His management career began at J.D. Taylor Construction in Syracuse, New York. He enjoyed working on large industrial projects in the U.S. and Canada for several years before serving as President and General Manager of T & M Industrial Contractors in Dallas, Texas, a company he founded and co-owned. His career took him to Arkansas where he worked for Kinco, Inc. and Lasker Construction, Inc. While in Indiana he worked as Vice President of Construction Operations for Paragon General Contractors, Inc., and managed projects for G. L. Morris Construction Company, Merritt Contracting, and Signature Construction among others. Michael’s teaching career began in Dallas at Richland College and North Texas State University. Throughout the following 25 years he taught construction management classes for contractors, trade associations and at several universities. He developed and implemented a Construction Management program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, which achieved accreditation by the American Council for Construction Education in a record three years. In 1998 Michael moved to Indiana to teach at Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis. In 2003 he began instructing at Purdue University where he held the position of Full Clinical Professor in Building Construction Management in the College of Technology until his death. To honor him, an Ireland study abroad scholarship fund has been created in his name at Purdue University. He is a recipient of the National Educator of the Year award from the American Institute of Constructors and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Teaching Award from the Engineering Technology Student Council. Most recently, he was awarded the 2008 Alumnus of Merit award from SUNY at Delhi. Michael believed in giving back to his community and the construction industry. He was honored in recent years with the John Dee Compassion in Ministry Award for his volunteer activities at the Shepherd Community Center in Indianapolis where he served as Construction Advisor to the Board of Directors. He was also presented with a Range Line Pioneer Award by Carmel’s Mayor for serving as Board Member and Corporation Secretary of the Carmel Clay Veterans Memorial Corporation, securing funding and building a new park and veterans’ monument in Carmel, Indiana. He mentored many in the building trades through service on various advisory councils, panels and workshops. He served as an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association and a member of the Indiana Construction Roundtable. He is also a graduate of the Carmel Police Department Citizens Academy. He coached youth baseball and was a soccer player, coach and referee. A lifelong boater and former recreational outboard hydroplane boat racer, Mike was also a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He is survived by his wife, Carol Hale O’Dea, his sons Daniel and James. Siblings Martin of Phoenix, AZ, James (Chris) of Grand Island, NY, Mary (Pete) Beyer of Englewood, FL, and Kathy (Kurt) Donath of Syracuse, NY. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Patrick. Other survivors include his mother-in-law Elinor Hale (Warsaw, NY), brothers-in-law David (Alice) Hale (Warsaw, NY), Thomas (Janice) Hale (San Diego, CA.) as well as a host of beloved nieces and nephew. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service for Mike at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday October 4 at Shepherd Community Center, 4107 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis. A funeral Mass and interment will be held Monday October 6 at St. Stephen’s Church in Grand Island, New York. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be sent to Shepherd Community Center in Indianapolis, 4107 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201 www.shepherdcommunity.org
The Heck Family says
Hi Carol, Daniel, James and extended family
Our thoughts are prayers are with you all. You are such a warm and loving family and Mike will surely be missed. We know that you are all surrounded by very supporting network of family and friends, but call if you need anything.
Love, Richard, Nancy, Melanie and George
Yi Jiang says
It was always pleasant to talk with Mike. His smile, jokes, and positive and friendly attitude made everyone feel good. Only a few months ago, my wife and I had the pleasure to listen to him talking passionately about his study abroad trip to Ireland. It was a difficult task to organize and lead study abroad trips, but Mike was always positive and he loved his students so much that he called such trips GÇ£paid vacations.GÇ¥
We will greatly miss him.
Tim Hyde says
Professor O’Dea…You will be missed!
Rick Fay says
I consider myself fortunate, and blessed, to have been a student of Michael’s last year (fall 2007)in the Purdue Masters BCM Program, as he taught us the legal nuances involving costruction contract clauses. I will always remember the passion he exuded in his teaching, as well as his genuine care for each student. I will greatly miss Michael.
Rex Cornelius says
He was a friend, a mentor and a great teacher. I am thankful that I was able to go to Ireland this past May with him and to have had him for a teacher. I met Mike when I first came to Purdue and we had lunch together, he told me that when I graduate I need to walk. He said it will make the transition back to the real world easier. So when I graduate this Dec, I will walk and I will do it in remembrance of him. I will miss Mike, he was a great man. I will keep his family in my thought and prayers
Sandy Poulson says
A truly great man and passionate teacher, on par with the best I’ve ever known.
Joe Orczyk says
For the last five years my office at Purdue was adjacent to Mike’s office. We had a lot of similar experiences and many pleasant conversations. Mike was always positive and I always felt better after talking to him. I will miss him very much.
Stephen Warne says
It was an honor to have worked with Mike. We will greatly miss him.
John Evans says
I am very sorry to hear of Prof. O’Dea’s passing. I was a student of his at Purdue for the last three years. He was a great man and a great teacher. My thoughts are with his family.
Larry and Joan Bramlett says
My husband and I send our sincerest condolences to Mike’s family. As a co-worker with Mike, I found him to be an honest and caring person and will always remember his bright smile and friendly and warm personality.
Tim Roberts says
Mike was a wonderful teacher and mentor to me. I have many fond memories of discussions we had about life, religion and the construction industry. He was a wonderful, generous man and will be truly missed.
Charlie Hill says
Carol, My best to you and the boys from Jennifer and I. I had the pleasure of “seeing” Mike on his Irealand trip through the web connection that he and Robert Cox were pre-testing for the ICR presentation. That presentation included projects around the world live via the web to our ICR group here in Indianapolis. I got to see Mike at the I-MAX here in town later in June. He looked great and was in the height of his glory with his students in the old country! I am a better person and a better construction professional for having had the privilege of working with and knowing Mike. God bless you all and you have our deepest sympathy. Charlie
LaDonna G Hoadley says
So sorry to hear abot Mike. Hope you all are doing ok. I know how hard it is to lose a loved one. My thoughts and parys are with you and the family.
LaDonna Hoadley
Tammy Mike Keck says
We are so sorry for your sudden loss. We are so thankful that we have had the opportunity to get to know Mike and your family better since we moved back. I can still see him barefoot in our backyard looking at our storm ravaged trees holding a glass of red wine and offering me one! He was so calm and funny at the same time. That will always be my fondest memory of Mike. I’m sure he touched many people in ways that he probably never knew about.
If there is anything you need help with, please do not hesitate to ask us. We are your neighbors, and we will be there for you. Even if it is just to sit and listen.
With sympathy and respect to all of you,
Tammy, Mike, and the Keck Family
Dave and Brenda Burke says
I grew up next door to the O’Deas. Mike was a great guy, never took the chance to tease or bully as so many did. Appears from his obit and from the family emails I’ve been privileged to receive, that he carried that kindness into his adult life. Our heartfelt condolences to all who will feel this loss. The world’s a poorer place for his absence, and yet better for his having been in it.
Erick Smith says
I had the pleasure to know Professor O’dea (and believe me, it was my pleasure) for the past year. To sum it up – great teacher with passion for students and construction all rolled into one individual! He will be missed, but his legacy left to the students and colleagues, will never be lost.
Jim Mulcahy says
I knew Mike growing up on Grand Island. He was a great guy, with a ready smile. He was fun to be with. It is hard to believe that he is gone. My prayers and sympathy go out to his family.
Josh Mark says
Having Mike as a professor in three or more classes as well as a faculty club advisor, I came to know him pretty well. During this time, he had a huge impact on me. He was a great professor that had a very positive outlook towards life. He seemed to enjoy teaching his classes and being around his students very much – always managing to make the day go by a little easier.
I, along with a few other ABC members, was fortunate enough to go to Puerto Rico this past spring where we had a great time together. It was nice to see Mike and Carol together there GÇô you could tell they loved each other very much.
During the senior banquet this past April, Mike gave a thoughtful speech to Brent Swonger and I to wish us luck on our journey ahead. This was completely unexpected, but meant a lot.
I am glad to have known Mike GÇô you will be missed.
Jeff Morrow says
I was fortunate to have Mike as a professor for several graduate courses at Purdue. It seemed every lecture or discussion would always include a reference to Buffalo or Ireland.
There is an Irish blessing that says “May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.” I believe this especially applied to Mike. He possessed a spirit of life that made him a rare and special person. He was a friend to many. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family on this great loss.
Kevin Behling says
Mike’s commitment to construction education as a means to improve our industry was without equal. He was a “class act” and such a pleasure to work with while I was at Purdue. Mike was one of those rare people who always had something positive to say, and most of us could learn a lot from his example. God bless Mike O’Dea and his family.
Derek Converse says
He was a fantastic teacher and a wonderful person. He will be missed.
ROBERT KRYGIER says
I served with Mike in Viet Nam with MCB58; while at Davisville we road home together a couple of times. Even then you could not help to notice what a special person Mike was, his concern along with his friendliness to all could not be missed. After almost 40 years I saw him at the Branson Reunion and again his specialness came through. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. My condolences to his wife, children, family and all who knew him.
Jarmar Kiner says
In 2004 I was privileged to have Mr. Michael OGÇÖDea as a teacher in a second year estimating class at Purdue University. Even though he had a busy work schedule and a lengthy drive to campus, Mr. OGÇÖDea always made time for his students. Even when he was not scheduled to be on campus, he would come to West Lafayette to meet with his students to help them understand the assignments that he had given. He was understanding, passionate, caring and a great man to know. I thank God that I gotten the opportunity to know Mr. Michael OGÇÖDea. I pray that God lift up the hearts of his family members and friends as they go through this trying time. May God bless you all.
Lee J Chapman says
Michael was a great teacher and a great mentor my thoughts and prayers are with you during this tough time.
Rich Hedman says
Mike was a fantastic teacher and fellow Seabee. I’ll miss him a bunch.
Stephen Brown says
I was blessed to be able to have Mike as a Graduate Instructor and also as an advisor for my Graduate Project. He was always upbeat and had a story or joke to reinforce the point he was teaching. He was always open to others experiences and a positive role model to the students. He will be missed by all.
Gailann Schrader says
I was so saddened to hear of Prof. O’Dea’s passing. I work in the College of Technology in Knoy. I didn’t even know he had been diagnosed and was ill.
I lost my father to brain cancer when I was fifteen years old so I understand some of the shock of what you are going through. I’m so very very sorry for your loss.
Justin Dickinson says
When reflecting on time spent with Professor OGÇÖDea, one particular occasion comes to mind. It was our first week in Ireland for this past study abroad session, and he invited me to join him for a pint in his favorite pub in Dublin. We spoke for hours about his experiences in academia, the military, and life in general. He shared with me many valuable lessons he learned. He stressed to me that I should always be a hardworking and honest man, as those are characteristics that can never be taken away from you. Nonetheless, by the end of the night he had me singing crazy Irish drinking songs with the whole pub. Cheers OGÇÖDea!
Michael Zawacki says
Thank you for all your contributions to the students of Purdue University. You touched the lives of many. Rest in peace, Michael.
Chris Niedhammer says
The ARCO/Murray team, Chris Wilson and myself send our condolences to the O’Dea family and the BCM department. Mike was truly a great part of the BCM program and will be deeply missed.
Jim Eleanor Sparks says
We feel so fortunate to have been able to be neighbors with Mike and Carol, and have cherished our brief time with them. We will miss Mike greatly.
Rosa Lasker says
Mike was a very close friend. I loved cooking for Mike, because he always made me feel like I was the best “Italian cook” around.
Mike loved to travel, and we had plans to visit Ireland (Mike’s favorite place) and Italy (mine). Unfortunately Mike’s stay on earth was cut short, but I know that I will see Mike in heaven someday.
So my dear friend, I will miss you so terribly, but I know that this is truly not “Good Bye”.
Andy Schuler says
Mike and I met at Purdue in Fall 07. We immediately hit it off, both being from Buffalo, having worked at Cannon Design and sharing our Irish heritage. I immediately felt I was with a familiar friend! I had the opportunity to meet Mike for lunch in Grand Island last spring; he showed me around his home town; he was so proud pointing out the local landmarks! Although he’d lived elsewhere he still loved his childhood home. I only knew Mike for a short time, but I considered him a good friend!
Andy Schuler
Dirk Beck says
I had the privilege of having Mike as a professor and his passion for the industry and life showed through and inspired myself as well as others. He will be greatly missed and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Robert Cox says
Dear Carol,
No words can describe the loss that we feel in Mike’s passing. I am very blessed to have had the honor and pleasure to have worked along side him. He was and will remain a great influence on everyone involved in the construction education profession. I also wanted to share with you that I truly treasure now more than ever my afternoon visit and “head shaving” with Mike. The conversations he and I shared that afternoon are a tribute to who he was. I learned so much from Mike and his candor was always welcome in our friendship. I also appreciated your time spent with me at the end of that visit. I know that there are no words to say to you that will fully comfort you and I just want you to know that I loved your husband and what he stood for and offer any support you may need. I pray that the good Lord will provide you strength and comfort in the upcomings days.
God Bless you.
Robert
Wes Crawford says
My condolences to Carol and the children. Mike will be missed by all who came in contact with him during his lifetime. He was a fine gentleman and loved his family, his profession, and his country. He was a true patriot.
Casey Passero says
Thank you Professor O’Dea for being the mentor that you were. Thank you for being the nicest, most respectful teacher that I have ever had. Rest in peace.
Delano Palmer says
Professor O’Dea was a great mentor and teacher, who shared his knowledge with many grateful students. Fun-natured and honest. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go to his family, friends, and all the wonderful professors who knew him as a colleague in the BCM program at Purdue University.
frank and jeri zawadzki says
what a shock to hear about mike’s very untimely death.i will never forget the kindness and the sensitivity he showed me.i never met anyone prouder of his heritage,his service to his country,or his family than mike.he will be missed.
UCCM Donald Ellis says
Mike and I served together in instructor team in Saigon and later we cross paths in the Seabee reserve as command master chiefs. My heart is very sadden by the lost of a real great guy and an old buddy.