Sept. 30, 2014—Following a four-year battle with cancer, longtime executive director of the Oklahoma Independent Auto Dealers Association (OIADA) James “Odell” Morgan has passed away at the age of 87.
Morgan joined the OIADA as its executive director in 1987, and served the association for 27 years. He was named the National Independent Auto Dealers Association Executive of the Year in 1994, and in 2002 he became the third member of the State Executives Council Hall of Fame.
"Odell was a big part of our association for a long time," NIADA executive vice president Steve Jordan said in a release. "He was instrumental in developing our current Association Executives Council structure and other aspects of OIADA and NIADA. He was a pioneer, a great innovator and a respected leader at both the state and national levels. His leadership will be missed."
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday at CrossPointe Church in Norman, Okla.