May 10, 1929 – November 17, 2025
Elzie Delano Odom was born in Shankleville, Texas on May 10, 1929. He received his formal education in the public schools of Newton County and Prairie View A&M University.
He was the seventh of eight children born to the union of Alvah Troga and Addie Lewis Odom. Shankleville was a close knit community of mostly the offsprings of former slaves Jim and Winnie Shankle.
It was a wonderful place to live through the Great Depression. They worked, prayed, saved and helped each other. He was taught to live by Christian principles and publicly accepted Christ and was baptized at the age of 8. He was raised in the Mt. Hope Baptist Church.
The pastor was Rev. Henry Truvillion who had a daughter, Ruby. Elzie met Ruby at age 14 and It was love at first sight! They married June 7, 1947 (78 years ago). Two children were born to this union: The honorable Dr. Barbara Odom-Wesley (Curtis) and Rev. Elzie D. Odom, Jr.
The young couple settled in Orange, Texas where Elzie worked as a postman. They were deeply involved in the community and raising their children, receiving awards as best parents.
Elzie was ordained as a deacon in 1961 and was faithful in every church they joined as they moved. He became the first African American elected to the Orange School Board in 1965 where he led the school desegregation efforts.
Elzie earned appointment to the U. S. Postal Inspection service in 1967, the fifth African American to do so. This assignment took them to Los Angeles, San Antonio and Arlington.
Elzie & Ruby fell in love with Arlington and Mt. Olive Baptist Church where they have faithfully served for 46 years. Elzie was church treasurer and deacon. They became immersed in community activities. After retiring in 1987, Elzie volunteered as building manager for the construction of the new church building.
Elzie was the first African American elected to the Arlington City Council in 1990, and was elected as Mayor in 1997.
While serving as the first and only Black Mayor, he was instrumental in retaining the Texas Rangers and General Motors in Arlington, as well as bringing the Dallas Cowboys to Arlington.
He was the first Black President of the Board for the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
In 2011, he authored his memoir, “Counting My Blessings” to give God glory and encourage others. It’s all grounded in faith resulting in boundless blessings from God.
He is preceded in death by his parents and all 7 of his siblings. He leaves a devoted wife, Ruby, of 78 years, their daughter, Barbara & son-in-law, Curtis; son, Elzie Jr. Grandchildren: Krystal James, Amber James, Clifton Wesley (Veonicca), Asheley Brown (Jeff), Victoria Sanders, Elzie Odom, III; Great grandchildren: Elizabeth, Devin, Carter, Roman and Gabriel; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Community Involvement:
Arlington Airport Zoning Commission
Tarrant County Crime Control & Prevention District
Arlington Fire/Police Foundation
Arlington Planning & Zoning Commission
Arlington United Black Coalition
Capital Improvement Advisory Committee
Great Southwest Rotary
NAACP Life Member
Nichols Junior High Mentor Program
North Central Council of Governments Board
State Attorney General’s Municipal Advisory
Arlington Chamber of Commerce
Foundation/Hall of Fame Super Bowl XLV Committee Member
Tarrant County Housing Partnership
Tarrant County Local Emergency Planning Liaison
Tarrant County Workforce Governing Board
Texas Municipal League, Board of Directors
Texas Municipal League, Telecommunications
UT-Arlington Presidential Search Committee
J.P. Morgan Chase Bank Advisory Board
Boys & Girls Club of Arlington Board
Home Run Arlington Committee
The Heartbeat of Arlington
