James "Jay" Thomas Odee, Jr., 60, of Gulf Breeze, FL passed away Thursday, July 2, 2020.

He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1977. He attended Liberty Bible College, Pensacola, FL. Jay also proudly served his country in the US Marine Corps as an Air Traffic Controller. One of his biggest disappointments in life was being medically discharged from Marine Corps. He was also a Radio talk show host and an Architectural and Commercial Photographer. Jay was humorous, highly creative, and a lover of art. He enjoyed building furniture, making bird feeders to gift to friends, playing classical guitar, gourmet cooking, taking photography of nature, surfing, and bike riding for miles. Jay loved to learn and was studying counseling at Pensacola State College.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte and James "Jim" Thomas Odee; as well as his sister, Diane Odee.

Survivors include his sister, Rev. Sally Robbins of Ashville, NC; brother, Eric Odee (Anne) of Pensacola, FL; as well as his best friend and love of his life, Cathie Williams of Gulf Breeze, FL.

Graveside Service will be held 11:00am Friday, July 10, 2020 at Barrancas National Cemetery with Marine Honors. Cortege will depart Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel at 10:30am for those who would like to attend. All attendees will need to wear a face mask and practice social distancing.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Tyrone, Tina Wood Tyrone, and Cristian Hernandez.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org .

Special thanks to the Baptist Hospital Staff and Doctors, the Covenant Hospice Inpatient and Palliative Care Center at West Florida Hospital, Bill Lang for helping protect his interests, Tina Tyrone, Nona Frunza, Mary B. Castillo, and Dick Wood.