Earl George Rodman

Earl George Rodman, Jr, age 98, died March 26, 2022, at his home in Odessa. He was preceded in death by his 3 siblings, Jean, Nancy, and Tom; and by his wife of 73 years, Shirley Rodman.

Born August 3, 1923, in Chadwick, Missouri, to E. G. Rodman and Fay Hummel Rodman, he grew up in Texas. The family settled in Odessa in 1932. A favorite family story is that, during those Depression years, Earl purchased his first car for $5.00. This sum got him a barrel of automobile parts, which, with the help of his high school friends and borrowed tools, was transformed into a functional vehicle. Earl graduated from Odessa High School in 1940 and enrolled in Texas A&M.

Drafted in January, 1943, he quickly enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he was trained as a pilot and then instructed 2 classes of new pilots. He was then transferred to the newly created 507th Fighter Group, which flew P-47N Thunderbolts as escorts for B-29 bombing operations against Japan.

After the war, Earl returned to finish a petroleum engineering degree at the University of Texas and married Shirley Watson on September 1, 1948. He is survived by their 4 children, George (Wendy) of Oklahoma City, OK; Allin (Marilyn) of Gunnison, CO; Rosemary (Siegfried) of Dallas, TX; Noël (Kim) of San Luis Obispo, CA; 10 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.

Rodman was active in the oil and gas industry, mining, banking, and real estate development. He and Shirley were members of First Baptist Church-Odessa. His lifelong pursuits encompassed flying, the outdoors, travel, and the appreciation of music. In addition to his friends, he maintained strong connections with his fighter group.  Earl formed two lifelong partnerships in his real estate business with R.G. Farrell of Texas and with E.C. Holland of California.   He enjoyed time with his children and grandchildren that included hiking, camping, cookouts, fishing, target practice, working outdoors, travel meetups, and opera performances. His steadfast devotion to Shirley was demonstrated in his care for her during her final years.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., April 29, 2022 at First Baptist Church-Odessa. If desired, donations can be made in his memory to local organizations, Boys Club of Odessa or Door of Hope Mission.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.