On Friday, April 29, 2016, Ernest V. Odeneal, Jr., 86, left this world to spend eternity with Jesus.
Born on June 12, 1929, in Dallas, Texas, Ernest was the son of Dorothy Parks and Ernest V. Odeneal. He was raised in Dallas, but moved to Denison where he graduated from high school and soon met the love of his life, Jerry Louise Francis. They married on November 21, 1948, and settled in Greenville. Ernest was a 5th generation jeweler and opened his own jewelry store on Stonewall Street in 1955. As business grew, he and Jerry bought a building on Lee Street next to the then popular, Texan Theater. Odeneal Jewelry continued for many years. When they retired in 2012, they sold their business and their building became part of the now popular, new Texan Theater.
His favorite hobby was ham radio. His call letters, K5QJF, could be seen on his license plates for many years. He was a charter member of the Sabine Valley Radio Club. He also enjoyed building, repairing and collecting antique radios and stamp collecting.
Ernest is survived by Jerry Louise Odeneal, his wife of 68 years; daughters Kay Odeneal Loposer and husband Tom of Allen and Laura Jane Odeneal Brown, of Melbourne Beach, FL; ten grandchildren, Eric Loposer and wife Maria, Josh Loposer and wife Kendra, Scott Loposer and wife Peyton, Aaron Brown and wife Dana, Lisa Reser and husband Michael, Audra Canestrari and husband Joe, Stephen Odeneal and wife Jennifer, Kellie Odeneal, Cayce Odeneal, Adam Odeneal; and 22 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Judi Odeneal Cheek and her husband Gary, of San Antonio.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Raye Odeneal.
Sadly, he lost his only son, Michael Ernest Odeneal, who at 60 passed from this earth on the first day of spring and Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016.
Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 6th 2016 at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.
A graveside service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 7th 2016 at Memoryland Memorial Park. Services are under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made at www.cokermathews.com and www.heraldbanner.com.