Odie Elmer Biggs

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Odie Elmer Biggs, 83, passed away Monday, January 14, 2013, at Arbor Acres in Winston-Salem, NC. A wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, leader and friend, Odie was born on September 9, 1929 in Braggs, OK, to Marion 'Sam' Franklin Biggs and Elsie Easterling Biggs. Odie and his siblings grew up in the United Methodist Children's Home in Tahlequah after both their parents died at early ages. He graduated from Central High School, Tahlequah, OK, in 1947. As a student at Oklahoma A&M College (Oklahoma State), he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and graduated in 1951, with a BS in business and a Reserve Army Commission rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He later was commissioned into the Regular Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and earned his MA in counseling from Ball State University (Overseas). Odie was a Green Beret with the Special Forces Unit, and also served with distinction in the 82nd Airborne Division, United States Army. He served his country for over 24 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He served with distinction during wartime in Cambodia, Korea, Laos, and Vietnam, receiving many medals including a Bronze Star. In 1975 he began a second career with Forsyth County (NC) Schools holding positions as a business teacher, JROTC instructor, and football coach at several area high schools, most notably, East Forsyth High School in Kernersville and West Forsyth in Clemmons. He also operated a tax business, Traveling Tax Service, for over 20 years. An orphan during the Depression in the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma, Odie earned recognition as a college football star, was one of the first Green Berets, and lived and traveled all over the globe. He loved to dance, play golf, make lists, watch football, enjoy a good steak dinner, and generally be on the go. He leaves behind a pile of us missing his big and generous heart, his bullheadedness, his perpetual early arrivals, his easy laugh, and his sweet smile. Odie was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Frankie Biggs Williams, Joyce Biggs Denning, Sister Alice of Saint Martha; one brother: Marion Franklin Biggs, Jr.; first wife: Joan Coleman Biggs; second wife: Anne Clark Biggs; and two step-sons: David Kelly and Kevin Kelly. Surviving are his wife of eight years: Nancy Monroe Kelly Biggs of Bristol, TN; four daughters: Debra Biggs Kass of Boston, PA, Cynthia (Sindy) Biggs Martin (Bob) of High Point, NC, Martha Biggs Ziglar (Dale) of Summerfield, NC, and Kathryn Biggs Cregger (Darryl) of Walkertown, NC; three step-daughters: Melissa Clark James (Dana Muto) of Winston-Salem, NC, Randi Clark Eaton (Dan Lounsbury) of Lewisville, NC and Shannon Kelly of Blaine, TN; one step-son: Christopher Clark of Knoxville, TN; six grand-children: Mathieu Brown, Ryan Kass, Alexandra Horton, Thomas Ziglar, Cole Cregger and Carter Cregger; nine step-grandchildren: Hope Blaylock, Mack Lounsbury, Sarah James, Katie James, Shelby Lowe, Paden Lowe, Beth Price, Nathan Kelly, Lauren Kelly, and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in the spring of 2013. Email your contact information to odiebiggs@mrstoast.com to be notified of arrangements when they are finalized. There will be no formal visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Arbor Acres Endowment Fund, 1240 Arbor Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104; State Street United Methodist Church, 100 W. Valley Drive, Bristol, VA 24201, United Methodist Children's Home, 7 Mathis Park Drive, Tahlequah, OK 74464; Operation Homefront, 8930 Fourwinds Drive, Suite 340, San Antonio, TX 78239; or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com. Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home in Winston-Salem, NC is serving the Biggs family.



Service:
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in the spring of 2013. Email your contact information to odiebiggs@mrstoast.com to be notified of arrangements when they are finalized.