Odell Landers, Cherokee Nation Citizen

Nancy and Odell Landers

Odell was born in a log cabin in McClain, Oklahoma on August 24, 1935. His mother Beulah Beatrice (Kaiser) Landers, born October 1, 1914, died December 1, 1998, delivered him alone without help. He was the second of nine children (one was still born). Odell’s father Clifford (Cye) Landers, born November 21, 1910, died May 4, 1986, was Cherokee. Odell’s mother was of German descent. His Cherokee father was a farmer in Oklahoma and lost the farm during the infamous Dust Bowl. They immigrated to Arvin, California in 1940. They settled in the government housing made famous in John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath novel and movie. His father and family worked in the agricultural fields of California. The family moved multiple times following the work. Odell said as a young child he could keep up with the adults picking cotton. The family was extremely poor and suffered with his father’s alcoholism. Odell went to multiple schools, settling in Hanford for 3 years where he attended high school until quitting school when he was 16 to help support the family.

Odell said his father never talked about anything Cherokee; he never shared any family history. Odell was told he was Cherokee by his mother when he was about 12 or 14 years old. He was pleased and surprised. His younger brother Alfred was the first in the family to enroll as a Cherokee Nation Citizen. He encouraged the rest of the family to enroll as well. Odell registered in the early 1980s. Another younger brother, Richard Ray Landers, served in the United States Army, 101st Airborne, and was killed at age 20 in Vietnam. When Odell was 19 he enlisted in the United States Air Force, swearing never again to do farm labor. He earned his GED and was stationed in the foreign country of Trenton, New Jersey, USA. He had an administrative job and served the majority of his enlistment in Trenton. After a four year enlistment he was honorably discharged. He moved back to Oroville, California, worked for PG&E for 14 months, then on to a propane company that became Amerigas for 37 and a half years until his retirement.

Odell and his first wife Connie (Connie died in 1993) had four children, Kathy, Odell Bill Jr., Beverly, and Valerie. Odell has eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Odell and his wife Nancy (English descent, Cornwall, England), met at a mutual friend’s house in January of 1995 to watch the Super Bowl (they are both 49er fans who loved Joe Montana); it took him until October of 1995 to ask her out. Odell didn’t understand that their friend was trying to hook them up. After 2 years they married in October of 1997 (they are still holding hands after 25 years of marriage).

In their retirement years Nancy and Odell have done extensive traveling across the oceans, China, Australia and more. They are currently planning trips and travelling within the United States to see the country. Odell’s vacation hobby is using his metal detector to try and find treasures and artifacts.

Callie Dahne Scales (Coon) (Landers) (Ga-La-Dee)(Ke-La-Ta)

Odell’s Lineage and interesting family story:

Great, Great Grandfather:

John Catcher Coon (De-Ga-Ni-Yisgi or Degahneske) 1829-1885, buried Goingsnake District, OK. Father of:

Callie Dahne Scales (Coon) (Landers) Ga-La-Dee)(Ke-La-Ta), 1877-1957, b. OK, d. OK. Callie was an orphan and was adopted by the Scales family.

Odell’s mother told a story of a time when she and Cye attended a Cherokee gathering. You should ask him to tell you the white chicken head story.

Odell & Nancy were instrumental in serving on our first CNCV Council, helping to get us organized, formed and started. They have been constant and loyal CNCV supporters. In the beginning they graciously invited our organizing CNCV Council to their beautiful home in Sacramento while we worked out our organization. Odell’s late sister, Betty (Landers) West and her husband Joe were also on the first CNCV Council. Betty was our beloved second CNCV Spokesperson after Rob Wood. Betty and Joe’s son Bruce West, Odell’s nephew, also served as CNCV Spokesperson. 

Be sure to visit and get to know Odell and Nancy at our future gatherings.

Odell told me he is VERY, VERY PROUD TO BE CHEROKEE!

—Mike Webb