Flags at Big "O" Dodge on Greenville's motor mile flew at half staff Monday, after the dealership suffered its second tragic loss in just five years. Thirty year old Tanner Odum, the dealership's owner, was killed in a car crash early Labor Day morning.
Known to so many as a smiling face on television, friends say Odum had a big heart. "I broke down and cried. I really did," said Larry Finklea, upon getting the news of Odum's death.
Finklea worked with the young car dealer for years and called him a "genuine guy." Greenville Police say Odum was driving down McDaniel Avenue around 2am Monday, when he lost control and flipped his car. The crash killed him instantly.
"He was good at his word," says Finklea. "Whatever he told you, you could put in the Bible. And he stood up for whatever he told you he'd do."
Odum's dealership is no stranger to tragedy. Tanner's father, Michael, was killed in January 2003 in a motorcycle crash. He was test driving a bike, when it collided with a truck in Anderson County.
Tanner took over the family business to keep it going. Finklea says now they'll have to rebuild again. "He took something he knew very little about, and did a tremendous job with it," he said shaking his head. "We've lost a great person."
Visitation for Tanner Odum will be Wednesday at Sullivan King Mortuary at 3205 Highway 81 in Anderson, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. His funeral is set for 3pm Thursday at Concord Baptist Church, on 1012 Concord Road, Anderson.
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