Odcar O. LeMasters, 98, Lorain County Horseshoe Champion
Odcar O. LeMasters, 98 of Lorain, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 in his son's home following a brief illness.
He was born July 2, 1910 in Smithfield, West Virginia. He moved from Mannington, West Virginia in 1940 to Lorain and had been a resident since.
Mr. LeMasters retired from the paint department of Thew Shovel Co., Lorain in 1972. He worked there for 27 years. He also worked for Russ Cohen Sewer Cleaning of Lorain for over 30 years. He worked as a glazier at E. C. Andrews, Lawson’s, and Lorain House Lumber Companies all of Lorain. Mr. LeMasters served in World War II as an Army Medic.
He was a long time usher and a member of Broadway Assembly Church Lorain. He helped build the church in 1959 by installing the windows. He was a volunteer at Camp Blessing in Sheffield Village.
He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Louis Paul Proy, Chapter 20 and the American Legion post 30 both of Lorain and the National Horseshoe Pitching Association. Mr. LeMasters was a Lorain County horseshoe champion for many years. He played in many state and national tournaments. He installed many horseshoe courts, including Mill Hollow, in Vermilion.
He also enjoyed hunting, woodworking, and painting furniture and repaired many broken windows.
Among the survivors are his sons Russell J. (Phyllis), John E., LeMasters both of Lorain, Raymond T. (Judith) of Vermilion and James H. (Darlene) LeMasters of Crestview Illinois; a daughter Patricia J. (Thomas) Southam of Grafton; a sister Slyetha Dickey of Lorain; 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Ruth LeMasters (nee Leasure) in 1992, a daughter Twilla LeMasters; his parents Raymer and Leverna LeMasters and 11 siblings.
His family will receive friends Mon. Jan 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain, Ohio (440) 277-8164. The funeral service will be Tues. Jan. 27 11 a.m. in the funeral home. The Reverend Matt Jones, pastor of Broadway Assembly will officiate. Burial with military honors will be later in Ohio Western Reserve Cemetery, Rittman, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or American Legion Post 30, 1112 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44052.