Douglas Nelmard Odegaard

Douglas Nelmard Odegaard [October 23, 1929 - December 20, 2016] died peacefully at home. He was born in Lansing, MI and raised in Minneapolis, MN by Nelmard Odegaard and Mildred Gustafson. He graduated from West High School, the School of Business Administration at the University of Minnesota, and The William Mitchell College of Law (St. Paul). He worked in corporate law for Investors Diversified Services and the Lederle Division of American Cyanamid Corp. in Minneapolis. After moving to Arizona, he opened his own law practice in Phoenix in 1963 and created Douglas Development Corp. He was a 32° Mason of the Scottish Rite of Zuhrah Shrine Temple, MN and served as president of the Scottsdale Shrine Club of the El Zaribah Temple, AZ. He belonged to the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity and into retirement met with the Newberry Lunch Group. He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Douglas was unassuming, sincere, and loved by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley, four daughters: Nancy Odegaard (Greg Yares) of Tucson, Martha Odegaard (Terry Orletsky) of San Diego, Amy Odegaard (Ed Novak) of Maryland, Barbara Dawkins (Robert) of England and eight grandchildren; Karl and Peter Yares, Erin and Andrew Orletsky, Kyle and Nolan Kankonde, Rebecca and Harry Dawkins. He loved doing activities with his family, including: traveling, sailing, skiing, and divided his year between Phoenix and La Jolla, CA. Doug lived a life of self-reliance with a smile. A Memorial Service is to be scheduled.