SGTC Director Horace Odom’s family returns to tour campus

   Nearly six decades after South Georgia Trade and Vocational School’s second director, Horace Parnell Odom, passed away, his son, Lofton Odom and his wife, Faye, returned to what is now South Georgia Technical College and toured the Americus campus with SGTC President Dr. John Watford.

   The Odom’s were in town for their 1969 High School Reunion and President Watford met with the Odom’s and their classmates, Sam and Reba Hunter, and gave them a tour of the college.

   Lofton shared many anecdotal stories, some humorous, others very touching about his father’s and his family’s dedication to the South Georgia Tech campus, the students, faculty, and administration.  He lived on campus with his family while his father served as the Director or President.  He says this was their home and where he grew up.

SGTC President Watford (right) and Lofton Odom are shown outside in front of the Odom Center, which was named in honor of Horace Odom.

    While the campus had changed for the better, Odom was still able to point out different buildings and recount some of the fun things that he remembers as a boy growing up on the campus.  He was very impressed with the overall campus and the programs still offered at South Georgia Tech.

   “It was such a pleasure to spend a little time with Lofton Odom and to hear such wonderful stories about dear memories of life growing up here on this campus,” said SGTC President Dr. Watford.  “It further instills the imperative nature of sustaining the deeply rich history and legacy of caring and dedication when preparing students for life and careers.  South Georgia Tech and Lofton Odom can both be very proud of the legacy left by Mr. Horace Odom.  We all continue to benefit from his commitment and hard work.”

   Horace Odom was the second longest serving Director or President of what is now South Georgia Technical College.  He took over as director in 1950 after Jed Yingling, who served from 1948 to 1949.  After one year, Yingling resigned and moved back to Indiana.

   Odom, who was a native of Georgia, served as Superintendent of Monroe County Schools from 1945 – 1950 before moving back to Americus to become the Director of South Georgia Trade and Vocational School.  He had served as the dean of students at Georgia Southwestern College in 1940 and 1941.

   The Odom’s had two sons, Parnell and Lofton.  He was active in the Kiwanis Club locally and regionally and held the position of secretary of the Georgia Vocational Association, as well as holding several other volunteer leadership positions.  He was active in the Boy Scouts and held the Silver Beaver award, the highest accolade presented to adult scout leaders.

   At 54, Horace Odom died from a heart attack while in his position with the school.  Clarence Dodson was named the interim director of South Georgia Technical and Vocational School until a new director, H. Ford Hayes, was named in April 1967.  Hayes served two years from 1967 – 1969.

    Dea Pounders became the fourth Director of South Georgia Tech in 1970 and was the longest serving Director.  He was also the first Director to be named President in 1988.  He left in 1995.  Jon Johnson took over in 1996 as President of South Georgia Technical College.  He retired in 2004 and was followed by Sparky Reeves who retired in 2015.  Dr. John Watford was appointed as the seventh President of South Georgia Tech on April 1, 2016.

   South Georgia Technical College has a proud past and a promising future.  South Georgia Trade and Vocational School opened its doors in 1948.  But even before its official opening as a trade and vocational school, the grounds and facilities of what is now South Georgia Technical College were being use to train and educate individuals by the United States Army Aviation group as well as the Royal Air Force.  For the past century and longer, this plot of land has had a significant impact on young people’s lives.

   Many people and events have nurtured and shaped the history of South Georgia Technical College and moved it into the place of prominence that it holds today, including Horace Odom and his family.

   South Georgia Technical College still offers five of the original programs offered in 1948 and has over 200 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate of credit programs of education available to provide workforce educational training.  SGTC also offers students the “Complete College Experience” with on-campus housing and nationally ranked academics, student activities, and intercollegiate athletics.