Page 7 - Newsletter Winter 2018

and will recur in a few more episodes. “It’s hard to wrap you mind around it”, Odie said in recounting his experiences on
the show, such as watching the pilot at star and producer Shemar Moore’s home or filming next to actors he has watched
on TV such as Kenny Johnson, David Lim, Jay Harrington and Patrick St. Esprit. He has even been sent “Fan Art” featuring
his character as created by fans of the show.

That’s a long way from Houlton, but Odie says he loves being from here. He remembers growing up near the family’s
Gallop’s Animal Ranch. He reflected that the animals were like part of the family. There was a pet lion named Thumper
that had no claws or fangs and they would play with him. There was also a one-eyed raccoon.

Spending time with friends was also a big part of Odie’s life growing up. He played Little League for the Pioneer Times
team with Bob Cyr and Clark MacDonald. During High School, he played soccer, basketball and baseball for a time. There
was a lot of time snowmobiling, riding dirt bikes and, of course, riding around and hanging out in the parking lot
downtown in Market Square, which was the local gathering spot at that time. Some of the riding around was in Glen
Tompkins’ Range Rover, Dale Dubay’s GTO, Chris Jordan’s Riviera and Garth Bailey’s Vega Camaro, among others. He
recounted a time when a tire came off the GTO and went by them as they were going by the Town & Country. Other
fond memories were the High School’s Winter Carnival, hanging out at the bowling alley and going to the Temple
Theater. There were also memorable parties at camps and friends’ houses with “our gang” – Vernon Upton, Todd
Peabody, and so many others in our class and the classes around ours. In addition to the fun times, Odie worked at
Ken’s Store and Shop ‘n Save.

That’s a lot of fun times packed into the time we’re in high school. And, Odie’s time at Houlton High was actually cut a
little short when his family moved to Florida early during his senior year. Although he graduated from Fort Walton
Beach High School, he is considered a part of Houlton High’s Class of ’82. He stays in touch with classmates here, visits
when he is back in Maine to see family and has attended most of the reunions. In talking about his time at Houlton High
he pointed out Joe Feeney as a teacher who made the biggest impression on him. He noted that Mr. Feeney was a great
guy that he could always talk to and loved going to his class.

In addition to the successful law enforcement career he has just wrapped up and the exciting new venture in television,
Odie is also extremely proud of his family. He has 2 daughters. Oldest, Saige is 24 and currently enrolled in Law School
while younger daughter Sien, 20, is a Junior at St. Louis University. Both girls have been avid volleyball players. Sien is a
nationally ranked player for the LSU Billikens.

Thanks, Odie, for sharing your story with us and for being such a fine representative of Houlton High. We wish you
continued success!

Odie (center) on set with SWAT cast members Shemar Moore (Hondo), Kenny Johnson (Luca), David Lim (Tan) & Jay Harrington (Deacon).
www.houltonalumni.com PAGE 7