By Mike McClure

Like many who have received the Delmar Citizen of the Year award, Odell Jones, Jr. is not comfortable in the spotlight. But next month the light will shine on him during the Greater Delmar Chamber of Commerce’s annual citizen of the year banquet at the Delmar VFW.

“I’m humble. I like staying in the background and doing what I love doing,” said Jones, who said appreciates the honor and the recognition from the community.

Odell Jones, Jr.

Jones has lived in Delmar most of his life. He lived in Salisbury with his aunt for a short time when he was in elementary school, following the death of his mother, before moving back to Delmar. He enjoys the closeness of the small town.

“Everybody knows everybody, for the most part,” Jones said. “We’re still in that 60’s and 70’s small town feel where you get to know everybody.”

Everybody knows Odell, who is in his 18th year as a paraprofessional at Delmar Middle/High School, 24th year as a coach, and has run the Delmar Youth Basketball League for 27 years. “There’s something about giving back,” he said.

Jones played football freshman year and participated in Little League baseball and youth basketball as a kid.

“My dad always wanted me to stay active in the sports he played. It was the thing that connected us,” said Jones. “That joy translated into a passion.”

Jones coached basketball for 18 years and baseball and football for 20 years. Odell has coached most sports at the school. At one point in time he coached school ball and ran the youth league on the weekend. He still serves as the league’s president. His involvement in sports continues the legacy of his father, who tried out to play pro football. 

Jones also enjoys his job as a paraprofessional, working with kids with challenges.

“It’s rewarding, just watching them overcome their obstacles, seeing the small joys they get during the day,” Jones said.

Following the retirement of David Hearn as athletic director, Jones, who served as assistant athletic director under Hearn, had some free time. Former Delmar (Del.) Mayor Michael Houlihan approached him about an open seat on the Delmar Council. The town suffered the tragic loss of Corporal Keith Heacook during Jones’ first week on the Council.

Jones later returned as assistant athletic director and remains on the Delmar Council, serving as Vice Mayor in addition to being a member of the town’s planning and zoning commission. He is in his fifth year on the council after winning re-election last fall.

“I wanted to see changes in the community,” said Jones. He said the park in his neighborhood was not being kept up, there were vacant buildings, and he wanted to see a community center in town, a place for them to go. That is slowly happening at the old police station on the Maryland side.

The Delmar Citizen of the Year banquet will take place next month. The date and time will be announced in the Star at a later date.