2019 HALL OF FAME RECIPIENT

ODELL GELVIN

    Odell Gelvin began his career in 1940 at the age of 12 at WE Harvey Ranch in Ada. Odell bough a registered polled Hereford steer that he showed. When Odell was just 15, they moved to Colvert Ranch in Millcreek, Oklahoma where he worked in the show barn and cared for the commercial herd. After serving in the US Navy, Odell was honored to receive the American Hereford Association Herdsman of the year in 1961. In 1965, Odell accepted the manager position for Ogeechee Farms in Fairland, Oklahoma. Ogeechee was one of the oldest and largest performance tested Polled Hereford herds in the country. Odell served on the Board of the American Polled Hereford Association, the Oklahoma Polled Hereford Association as well as holding several other positions. He also was involved in the establishment of the Oklahoma Beef Improvement Testing Station (OBI) in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Odell remained at Ogeechee until its dispersal in 1980.  He then owned his own cattle and his grandchildren continued showing Herefords.  He stayed involved in cattle until 1991. Odell always enjoyed interacting with people and young people, being a frequent judge at junior shows throughout the nation.