Stanley John Odell

Odell was born in Campton, Bedfordshire, the son of George Frederick O'Dell and Florence May Roberts.[4][5] He was educated at Bedford Modern School.[3]

Odell was Chairman of the Mid Bedfordshire Young Conservatives (1953–59) and Chairman of the Mid Bedfordshire Conservative Association (1964–69).[5] He was Chairman of the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations (1989-90), an organisation of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom,[3] and was President of the Mid Bedfordshire Conservative Association between 1991 and 2005.[6]

Odell was Chairman of the South Bedfordshire Community Health Care NHS Trust (1994–99); the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Health Care NHS Trust (1999–2001); the Mary Seacole Homes for the Homeless in Luton, (1999–2012); and the Anglo-American Committee, RAF Chicksands, (1987–96).[6]

Odell was knighted in 1986.[6] He is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Bedfordshire and an Honorary Fellow of Luton University.[6]

Odell was Chairman of the Biggleswade and District Young Farmers' Club (1949–51) and a Founder Playing Member of the Biggleswade Rugby Club in 1949.[6] He was a Patron of the Friends of Chicksands Priory (1983–2008); Camphill, Bedfordshire (1998–); the John Bunyan Museum, Bedford (1999–) and was a Churchwarden of Campton Parish Church (1978–91).[6]

Odell's recreations are politics and shooting.[6] In 1952, he married Eileen Grace Stuart, daughter of Reginald Edward Percival Stuart; they had four daughters.[4]