Bruce M. Odza's Obituary
Odza, Bruce M., of Plano, Texas passed away on June 9, 2014 in Plano, Texas after a long struggle with cancer. Bruce was born on October 25, 1932, in Schenectady, New York, the first son of Mitchell and Grace Odza. He was raised in Schenectady and graduated from high school there in 1950. He immediately went on to college at Syracuse University, graduating in 1954 with a degree in Liberal Arts. Bruce served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956, achieving the rank of E4 (specialist third class). He met Ruth B. Stone and they were married July 4th in 1957. After the marriage, and a short period of living in Denver, Colorado, Bruce took his first job in advertising with a prominent New York City advertising agency, starting out in the mail room. Following this, Bruce was offered a position in advertising as Product Manager at Colgate Palmolive, later moving on to work at Ogilvy and Mather for over 30 years where he rose to the level of Senior Vice President. During his long career with Ogilvy and Mather he ran many company offices and agencies, the first of which was the Melbourne, Australian Office for the Company. After later returning to the United States, he ran the Houston, Texas office for Ogilvy and Mather while serving on their regional board. Known for getting results and for his cultural sensitivity, he was then transferred to Japan where he started a joint venture with a large Japanese advertising agency. His continued international business successes lead him to run the Indonesian, and then the Sydney offices of Ogilvy and Mather. After 30 years at Ogilvy and Mather, Bruce became Executive Vice President at another prominent Washington D.C. advertising agency. From there, he was recruited by EDS in Dallas, Texas to create and head its advertising department. Bruce remained with EDS until his retirement. Always interested in politics and civic affairs, Bruce devoted himself to many public causes. He served on the Ossining, New York School Board, and was a past leader of the Westchester County United Way drive. Remembering and missing Bruce will be his wife of 57 years, Ruth B. Odza; three children, Jean Lynn Odza and husband, Andrew Donald Mills, Peter Drew Odza, and Susan Jane Odza Chastain and husband, Clinton Jay Chastain; two grandchildren, Alexandra D. Chastain and Miranda S. Chastain; brother, Randal M. Odza and wife, Rita Odza; nephews, Ken and Keith Odza and their wives, Jennifer Odza and Sheryl Odza; grandniece, Jacqueline Odza, grandnephews, Henry Odza, Zachary Odza and Reese Odza, as well as many cousins and many, many friends and former business associates. Ruth Odza and all the rest of Bruce’s family would like to express appreciation to each of you for your prayers and kind words at this time of tremendous loss and sorrow. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the numerous medical professionals and caregivers who gave Bruce the compassionate care he needed during his last months. Funeral service for Bruce will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2014, at 10:30 AM at Restland Wildwood Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the Friends of Alzheimer’s Center. Donations can be made on-line at www.utsouthwestern.edu/donatenow. Friends of Alzheimer’s Center can also be contacted by conventional mail at: UT Southwestern Medical Center Office of Development P.O. Box 910888 Dallas, TX 75391-0888 Phone: 214-648-2344 or giving@utsouthwestern.edu In either case, donors will need to designate their gift be routed to Friends of Alzheimer’s Center.
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