So I got to wish OD a happy Thanksgiving when he called me this morning...after reading the SNEWS story and a few notes/stories others wrote about him. OD told me, "I got so much to be thankful for. I've been blessed that so many people would say nice things about me."

In fact there is only one person I know who does not like OD...Coach Whitman of Chicago, Il.

OD once had wwaaayyy to much fun at a Chicago White Sox game.

Edited by mhodgson at 11/21/2006 18:00:04 MST.

One of my favorites is the time my hood flew off my car while going to a Chicago show..... Coach you remember??? I'm one of your greatest fans. You have been there with and for me through many years of industry changes and pit-falls! You are the best! If I had to pick one man to share a fox hole it would be you!!!! Love you Coach.... Woody

Back when the Sporting Goods Industry went from Strong Light and Quick to Dark Sullen Pierced and Tattooed one man destined to fit into all worlds discovered that no matter what he wore a nose ring would help to break the ice. That man....Dennis O'Donnel one man, one purpose, one nose ring. He wore it proudly at all trade shows, breaking up cliques and customers wherever and whoever they were. Unless the Big 5 buyers showed up. OD thanks for all of the years of laughter and making the exhaustive trek through many many Super Shows, NSGA Shows, OR's and Shot Shows worth going to .

I think Whitman is still looking for you by the way!!

TROBISON

I began hanging around the O'D house in fourth grade. When I first met him he was simply coach. Though I had the world's biggest crush on his beautiful daughter Kris, I found myself wanting to impress him equally as much. From an early age I could sense O'D was a man of great character, love, compassion, and spirit. Much of who I am today is a direct reflection of the impact this man had on me as a role model, coach, and friend. For those of us fortunate enough to have grown up in and around the O'D house, the impact and influence of this man will live on long after he is no longer with us.
I love you O'D,
Todd

I FIRST MET O'D IN A DENVER HOTEL. IT WAS IN THE LATE MORNING AND WE WERE IN A HALLWAY ON THE THIRD FLOOR. HE WAS IN HIS UNDERWEAR. AT THAT POINT, I KNEW WE HAD A SITUATION ON OUR HANDS. NOT YOUR STANDARD REP. FORTUNATELY FOR US, THAT SITUATION HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. I MEAN, HOW CAN YOU ARGUE WITH A GUY WHO BARKS OUT "ALLLLLLLL NAKED" WHEN TRAFFIC GETS A LITTLE THIN AT TRADE SHOWS? THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW HIM KNOW JUST HOW LOUD THAT BARK CAN BE. OR WHEN HE SAYS TO THE RATHER PORTLY DEPUTY SHERIFF IN THE LOBBY OF THE HOTEL (UPON RETURNING FROM AN EVENING OF CUSTOMER ENTERTAINMENT EXCESS, SOMEWHERE IN THE DEEP SOUTH, WHERE SIMPLY BLENDING IN WITH THE WOODWORK WOULD BE A BLESSING), "WHERE'S THE DOUGHNUTS??" SHALL I CONTINUE? YOU GET THE POINT. AND EVEN IN HIS BATTLE AGAINST ALS, WHEN ASKED HOW HE'S DOING, YOU GET, "WELL, THE BREATHING IS GETTING TOUGHER...BUT THAT'S OVERRATED." AND WE THINK WE HAVE PROBLEMS. THIS IS A FAMILY THAT BURIED A DAUGHTER WAY, WAY TOO YOUNG...CANCER. NOW ALS. AND WE ALL WONDER TO OURSELVES, "HOW MUCH BURDEN IS ONE FAMILY EXPECTED TO BEAR?" I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT. NOBODY DOES...BUT IT SURE SEEMS UNFAIR. BUT DO YOU THINK FOR A MOMENT O'D WILL BACK DOWN? NO WAY. HE IS A LESSON IN DETERMINATION, GRACE, WIT, MENTAL INSTABILITY (see deputy sheriff story above), FRIENDSHIP, LOYALTY AND CHARM (like the time we entered a tasting room in Napa and the only other visitors were some sweet elderly ladies, at which point he pipes up with, "Geez! I didn't know they were filming Baywatch here today!!") FOR US ALL. AND ONE OF THE BEST WAYS WE CAN HONOR THAT SPIRIT IS TO ELEVATE EACH OF OUR OWN LIVES, TO STRIVE TO THESE LEVELS IN OUR DEALINGS WITH OTHERS. NO, HE'LL CARRY ON IN O'D STYLE TO THE VERY END...ANYONE WHO KNOWS HIM WOULD AGREE: HE WOULDN'T WANT IT ANY OTHER WAY. THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT I LOVE ABOUT HIM MOST. THAT'S HIS STYLE, AND IT SURE IS IMPRESSIVE. WITHOUT QUESTION, WHEN THE "EVENT" (AS HE PUTS IT) OCCURS, THERE WILL BE A TERRIBLE VOID ON MANY LEVELS. THIS COMPANY IS PROUD TO HAVE O'D ON ITS TEAM, AND HIS LIFE LESSONS WILL NOT BE LOST ON OUR PEOPLE, MYSELF INCLUDED...ALTHOUGH I STILL INTEND, GIVEN THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES, TO KEEP THE DOUGHNUT COMMENTS TO MYSELF.

Dave Petersilge
FITNESS QUEST, INC.