Background
Horton, Odell was born on May 13, 1929 in Bolivar, Tennessee, United States. The son of Odell and Rosa Horton.
Horton, Odell was born on May 13, 1929 in Bolivar, Tennessee, United States. The son of Odell and Rosa Horton.
Odell Horton attended the Morehouse College (Bachelor of Arts) and Howard University (Bachelor of Laws).
Horton served as a United States Marine from 1946 to 1947 and again with the United States Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953. He was in private practice in Memphis, Tennessee from 1957 to 1962. He was an assistant United States. Attorney of the Western District of Tennessee from 1962 to 1968. He was a Director, Division of Hospital and Health Services, City of Memphis, Tennessee in 1968.
Odell Horton was a judge on the Shelby County Criminal Court, Tennessee from 1969 to 1970. He was a President, Le Moyne College-Owen College from 1970 to 1974. He was a Commentator, WREC-television (Columbia Broadcasting System) from 1972 to 1974. He was a Director, Community Health Services, Mid-South Medical Center Council, Memphis, Tennessee from 1974 to 1976. On February 27, 1980, Horton was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee vacated by Bailey Brown. Horton was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 9, 1980, and received his commission on May 12, 1980. He served as chief judge from 1987-1994. He assumed senior status on May 16, 1995. Horton served in that capacity until his death, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Odell Horton has been listed as a reputable Federal judge by Marquis Who's Who. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni award Howard U., 1969, L. M. Collge Pharmacy Graves Memorial Health award Mid-South Medical Center Council, Memphis, 1969, Bill of Rights award West Tennessee chapter American Civil Liberties Union, 1970, Distinguished Service award Mallory Knights Charitable Organisation, 1970, Distinguished Service award Smothers Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 1971, Outstanding Citizen award Frontiers International, 1969,Ralph E. Bunche Humanitarian award Boy Scouts American, 1972, OutstandingEducator and Judge award Salem-Gilfield Baptist Church, 1973, Special Tribute award African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1974, United Negro College Fund award, 1974, Humanities award Citizens Committee Council of Memphis, 1969, Shelby County Penal Farm award, 1974, Distinguished Service award Le Moyne College-Owen College, 1974, Distinguished Service award Lane College, 1977, Dedicated Community Service award Christian Methodist Episcopalian Church, 1979.
Board managers Methodist Hospital, Memphis, 1969-1979. Board directors Family Svc. Memphis, United Negro College Fund, New York City, 1970-1974.
With United States Marine Corps, 1951-1953. Member National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, American Bar Association (senior, chair conference federal trial judges, judicial administration division, chair Executive Committee national conference federal trial judges 1994-1995).
Odell was married to Evie L. Randolph, September 13, 1953. They had two children, Odell and Christopher.
