Odis L. Younger Jr., age 72, died June 17, 2021. Odis was known by many, but those closest to him knew him as Junior.

He was born September 5, 1948 near Sikeston, Missouri. Son of the late Bonnie (Riggs) Travis and Step-son of the late Leon Travis of Sikeston.

Junior served in the U.S. Navy for 6 years from 1968-1974. During his enlistment he served three tours aboard the knox-class USS Marvin Shields FF-1066 in the blue water navy off the coast of Vietnam. He was also a member of the first crew that manned the ship at the time of the commissioning.

On May 30, 1977 in Sikeston, he married Sandra Nickell. Sandy preceded him in death on January 25, 2010 after 32 years of marriage.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Matthew Aaron and Stacy Dyan Wrather-Younger and two grandchildren, Paizlee and Deacon of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Other survivors include 2 sisters, Bonnie Kincade of Sikeston, Tommy & Barbara Raines of Sikeston; 3 brothers, BJ & Linda Stockton of Jefferson City, Missouri, Elgin & Mona Travis of Sikeston, and Michael Travis of Sikeston; 1 brother-in-law, Steve & Kelly Nickell of Lexington, Missouri; and many dear nieces and nephews across his extended family.

Junior worked as a electrical and maintenance manager at two key industrial institutions in south east Missouri during his life, Gates Rubber Company in Charleston, MO and Noranda in Marston, MO respectively. Junior was a deacon of the First General Baptist Church of Morehouse, Missouri. Junior used his engineering and electrical talents for all those in the community around him freely with a generous heart for service. He often spoke of how blessed he felt helping others; the gift is in the giving.

Visitation and funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 23, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, MO. The Rev. Randy Thomas will officiate.

Graveside service will immediately follow the Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston with Full Military Honors.