By Mike McClure
Odell Jones, Jr. was honored as this year’s Delmar Citizen of the Year during a banquet held Tuesday night at the Delmar VFW. The event, sponsored by the Greater Delmar Chamber of Commerce, is held annually to honor residents who give back to their community.
“The Delmar Chamber has a way of finding people who are unsung heroes,” said Rep. Tim Dukes, who was filling in as emcee for Bunky Naugle. “It’s people like Odell that make Delmar what it is and makes Delmar a special place.”
Friends and family members were given an opportunity to speak after dinner was served by members of the Delmar Lions Club.
Delmar town employees and elected officials as Delmar (Del.) Mayor Tom Bauer makes a presentation to Delmar Citizen of the Year and Delmar Councilman Odell Jones, Jr.
Jones was lauded by a member of his church for staying after the church services are over to make sure everyone is ok and the church is locked up.
“If we had 10 more Odells the world would be a better place,” Delmar Town Manager Jeff Fleetwood, who has known Jones for over 20 years, said of him.
“He’s my friend, that’s the most important thing,” said Delmar head football coach David Hearn.
Hearn said when his grandchildren started going to the middle/high school he told them to make sure they know where Odell is.
Commissioner Jacob Boothe played Little League with Jones and now serves on the Delmar Council and Commission with him. “His heart has and will be for this town. He loves it here and he is a true servant,” Boothe said.
“We just want you to know, as a family, we’re very proud of you and we love you,” one member of his family added.
Delmar football assistant coach Alan Preston told a story about when Odell was snapping and throwing the ball to the punter who then punted the ball during a practice as a local tv station was filming. He kept stepping closer to the punter after snapping the ball and was eventually hit hard in the face. Preston said Odell showed his resiliency by shaking it off and going back to work.
Dukes read a letter from Delmar Athletic Director Chad Jones.
“Odell would do anything for Delmar, not just Delmar athletics,” Jones wrote. “He’s basically everybody’s best friend for the town of Delmar.”
“If you cut Odell on the arm he would bleed orange and blue,” added Jones.
Tributes were presented from the Delaware House and Senate, the Maryland Senate, Wicomico County, the Delmar VFW, the town of Delmar, and the Delmar Chamber of Commerce.
“Standing here as Delmar Citizen of the Year is an incredible honor, one that I never imagined for myself,” Odell Jones told the crowd. He added that the honor belongs to others at the church and school.
“I simply have been fortunate to walk among them,” said Jones.
He said that he tries to show up when it counts, even when no one is watching; listen more than speak; and lift others up. He added that a lot can be accomplished when people come together.
“Thanks for seeing something in me and believing something I’ve done made a difference,” said Jones.
Past citizens of the year in attendance included: Doug Niblett, Bill Brittingham, Jay Green, Dee McDonnell, Percy Elliott, Mary Lee Tase, David Hearn, Ron Wilkosz, John McDonnell, Donna Wilkosz, John Layton, and Davis Burton, Sr.
