Meet Paul Odom, a living testament to the adage that age is just a number. At an age when many might be content with a quieter life, Paul defies expectations by soaring through the skies as the oldest pilot in the lower 48 United States who is still actively flying. His remarkable journey is not just a testament to his passion for aviation, but also serves as an inspiration to those who believe that one is never too old to pursue their dreams.
Where does one begin exploring the fascinating life of Mr. Odom? Do you start with his aviation career or with the challenges he overcame as an engineer and businessman? One could write a book about the time he spent serving three different branches of the military. Or for the sake of this publication, the focus could be how much Paul likes and uses Kubota equipment? Perhaps it’s simply his unwavering spirit and love of life that is most impressive and page worthy!
Paul’s love of flying started as early as his high school years when he flew at the Downtown Air park, but his journey through the skies really took off in with his military years.
While attending Capitol Hill High school he joined the Naval Reserves and eventually served on the USS Wisconsin. After his time in the Navy during WWII, he came home and studied Engineering at OSU. He then joined the Army and after completing Officer Training School, he was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas. Something interesting happened at Ft. Riley and his military career took an unexpected turn.
“Paul you have been loaned to the Air Force.” This is how Paul recounts the orders given at Ft. Riley. He was in the Army, but would serve the Air Force and be paid by the Air Force and he was to go to Korea where he spent two years in the combat zone.
His years flying in the service surely honed his skills, but even as a civilian Odom couldn’t stay out of the skies. From flying governors and senators to special medical victims, Paul’s dedication to aviation goes beyond the cockpit and is a testament to the idea of a life that embraces challenges with open arms.
A true loyal Kubota owner, Paul jokes that he’s had a Kubota longer than they’ve been in production. Over the years he’s had a variety of Kubota equipment. From the pioneering B7100 to early models of the Kubota excavator series and even a few “big tractors” of which he eventually sold but regretted it; Paul doesn’t trade his old Kubota’s in, he’d rather have the tractor than the trade in!
Paul grew his Kubota fleet over the years alongside with the new innovations of Kubota but Kubota mowers have always been a necessity at his place.
“The mowing tractors are pretty much bulletproof,” he said when referencing the amount of mowing that he’s done over the years.
What makes Paul Odom’s story particularly compelling is not just the number of years he has lived, but the quality with which he has filled each one. His hard work is not a relic of the past but a living force that propels him forward, defying the conventional wisdom that might suggest slowing down in the twilight years.
In his every flight, we see a man who has mastered the art of balancing experience with an insatiable thirst for the unknown — a rare blend that speaks to the richness of a life dedicated to both the familiar skies and the boundless possibilities that lie beyond.
Reflecting on Paul Odom’s longevity, it’s not just about his chronological age, but the enduring legacy he leaves in his wake.
He serves as an embodiment of the idea that passion, determination, and hard work are the true elixirs of life, capable of transcending the limitations that society often imposes on the elderly. In a world that tends to underestimate the capabilities of the aging, Paul Odom emerges as a living testament to the incredible feats that can be achieved when one’s spirit remains unsurpassable.
Mr. Odom is a living saga of resilience, hard work, and a love for flying.
His story is a reminder that age is not a barrier but a vantage point from which one can savor the richness of a life well-lived.
As he continues to navigate the skies as a seasoned aviator, Paul Odom reminds us to reevaluate our perceptions of aging and to embrace the boundless potential that comes with a spirit that refuses to be grounded.
As we conclude our exploration into the remarkable life of this hardworking aviator, it becomes abundantly clear that Paul Odom is not merely a man of age, but a living testament to longevity in all aspects of his being.
