O’Dell Ray, 88, of Cooperstown, NY, passed away peacefully on Monday May 28, 2018 at Cooperstown Center.

O’Dell was born in Jonesboro TN on June 16, 1929 the son of the late Jacob and Flossie Story Ray. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his beloved wife of 37 years, Dolores, his son Bradley Nichols, three sisters, and four brothers.

He is survived by his daughter Christine (Jack) Stanton of Edmeston, son Scott (Patricia) Ray of Texas, son Roger (Linda) Nichols of Waterville, grandchildren Jennifer Neff, Diane Marceau, Daniel Nichols, Cassandra Treen, Kellee Luley, Craig Stanton, Alec Stanton, and Stephanie Ray. Also surviving are great grandchildren Paige and Jacob Nichols, Ali and Matt Marceau, Jadeyn Nichols, Colton Treen, and several nieces and nephews.

O’Dell was a graduate of Paul Smith’s College Class of 1950, and spent over 42 years as a School Business Official in the area.

He began his career with the Norwich City Schools, followed by Waterville Central School, where he met the love of his life Dolores, and retired from the New York Mills Union Free School District on June 30, 1992.

O’Dell married Dolores on November 19, 1966 in St. Bernard Catholic Church in Waterville, NY. They also attended Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Edmeston, and St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church in Richfield Springs. O’Dell was proud of the stained glass windows in St. Joseph the Worker Sanctuary, as they were restored in loving memory of Dolores.

In their later years, O’Dell, and Dolores purchased a summer home on Otsego Lake, and loved the time spent with their family there.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. on Monday June 4, 2018 at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, Main St. Morris, NY with Reverend David W. Mickiewicz, Pastor of Holy Cross, as Celebrant. Interment will follow in Edmeston Union Cemetery, Edmeston. There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Dolores Ray Memorial Scholorship Fund C/O Waterville Central School District 381 Madison Street Waterville, New York 13480 in loving memory of O’Dell.

To send condolences visit www.Delkerterryfuneralhome.com or Facebook Delker and Terry Funeral Home.