Luke Odom

Luther “Luke” Bernice Odom

February 5, 1962 – October 6, 2025

Luke Odom, age 63 of Monroe, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 6, 2025 from liver cancer.

Luke was born on February 5, 1962 in Pensacola, Florida, from the union of Alex Eugene and Betty Jean (Hicks) Odom. His father was a career Navy man and the family moved to Washington DC and then Norfolk, Virginia. Luke spent his teenage years fishing and swimming in the Norfolk area.

Luke was a 1979 graduate of Norview High School in Norfolk, where he played defensive tackle and defensive end on the football team.

After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served as an electrical mechanical equipment repairman on the U.S.S. Milwaukee, a replenishment oiler. After leaving the Navy, Luke worked in the shipyards in Norfolk and as a mechanic.

Around that time, he met the love of his life, Susan Lee Aichler. She was serving in the Army as a musician and a music librarian. Both Luke and Sue were proud veterans. Luke and Sue were married on November 24, 1989, in Virginia Beach. Some years later the couple moved to Sue’s hometown of Monroe, Michigan. Luke’s job in shipping and receiving took them to Toledo, Ohio and then to Boardman, Ohio. They later moved back to Monroe where unfortunately, Sue passed away in 2020 after 31 wonderful years together.

Luke was a people person who loved to play board games with Sue, to play computer games, and he liked reading Dean Koontz novels. Having been born in Florida, he was a lifelong fan of the Miami Dolphins and especially a fan of Dan Marino.

In addition to his wife Sue, Luke was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, Alex Eugene Odom Jr.

Luke is survived by his two loving sisters: Betty (PJ) Maloney and Sara (Paul) Flusche, both of Norfolk, Virginia.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation will take place with no services at this time. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com