Aden Marion O'Dell
June 21, 1932 - May 22, 2009
Obituary
Aden Marion O’Dell passed away peacefully at home on May 22nd. He was born in Moline, Illinois – June 21, 1932 to parents Thomas A. and Winnifred Wiley O’Dell. He married his high school sweetheart, Rosemary McArty on November 4, 1951. He is survived by wife Rosemary, a daughter Peggy Ann, grandson, Jacob Jake Videen, granddaughter Adeana Denny Konopinski and great granddaughter, Taylor rose Konopinski. A son, James Aden and a daughter, Maryrose preceded him in death. He is also survived by a brother, Charles Pauline O’Dell and a sister, Shirley Adcock, both of Decatur, Illinois, sister-in-law Nancy Lawrence Turner also of Decatur, several nieces and nephews.
Aden loved al sports, particularly basketball, actively playing from 4th grade thru age 62, when Parkinson’s slowed him down. Aden had a strong faith and was active in his church, participating in many projects and activities including in recent years the building repair and maintenance crew and the Graceful Seniors.
Aden’s family lived in several locations in Illinois and Oregon, settling in Decatur, Illinois. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and the Anchor Step Company in Decatur, becoming manager about age 21. At age 25 he and Rosemary and family moved to the Seattle area and purchased a concrete step products business. He designed and built numerous stairs, both residential and commercial. Aden brought the cantilever stair to Seattle, taught himself to weld, and then set up an ornamental iron shop. Aden built the one-piece circular stair and many architects and builders including Boeing came to him for design and construction. For the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair his company Aden Corp. built 10, 000 exposed aggregate planter tubs which were put on the streets of Seattle, more planters at the U of W, the Seattle Public Library, etc. He loved the creativity of design and construction. A brief illness forced him to sell this business, but after a few years he and Rosemary purchased the Hazel’s Candy Company, moving the production facility from Yakima to Tukwila- then also purchasing the Rogers Candy Company. Combining the two companies, selling both wholesale and retail, including retail stores in 11 major malls in Washington and Oregon. The company made over 500 different candies. In retirement, Aden did business management consulting. From the time they came to Seattle Aden and Rosemary worked together in the businesses 24/7, they had a strong, caring loving relationship, unique in the business world.
Aden never tired of the view from his home of the morning sunrise, Mt. Rainer and many double rainbows over the valley. One could never doubt there is a God…Aden and Rosemary also loved to travel for both business and pleasure. Aden relished the competition and treasured the fellowship of games and just chatting with friends. He like reading paperback westerns and watching old western movies, watching the same ones over and over! Aden also enjoyed country music. He loved peanut butter on everything, M&M’s and Mountain Dew, and chocolate was always a part of his daily diet!
Aden’s first car was a 1937 Ford he purchased from a neighbor for $65.00 and an air riffle! His dream car he purchased in 1998, a Lincoln Continental.
Aden took great pride and delight in his grandson Jake and granddaughter Adeana and was especially proud and joyful to see great-granddaughter, Taylor Rose walk recently and she would wave ‘hi GaGa’ and blow him kisses. Both Jake and Adeana Felt great influence from Aden saying he is the best example of how to live a good life. He taught Jake to weld, carpentry, plumbing, electrical etc. Jake was at his side from the time he could walk always learning and ‘helping’. Adeana and Grandpa designed and built her a beautiful doll house.
Shy as a young man, he was always ready to help others; he felt his abilities were a gift from God. During recent years Aden dealt with numerous health problems, but he always kept strong, positive attitude, somehow defying the medical prognosis. But he has gone to be with his Lord, peaceful and with healthy body, probably shooting a few hoops!
Aden continually amazed me with his technical abilities during the time I worked for him at Hazel’s. I fondly recall a trip we took together to California to pick up a piece of candy-making equipment that neither of us had used before. Within a few days, he had it up and running and we used it every day for years. This is just one of many examples that I witnessed over the years we worked together. Most importantly, Aden hired a young lady named Tracy to install office computers, who became my wife. We’ve now been married 26 years. Tracy and I have many fond memories of our time at Hazel’s. Our deepest sympathy to Rosemary and family at this time.