Birthday greetings for James Ode

Meandering up creeks in Colorado while you were working at compositions. Driving (jeep) first time, at the Ode farm. Listening to muted practice sessions at the Gilbertson house. Checking my hands for calouses. Little life lessons, but always with a smile. Thanks for...

Congratulations and hope you thoroughly enjoyed your trip with family. May good health and happiness be your most precious gifts.

Best wishes for year #80 from Oswaldo and Sarah!

Uncle Jim, Happy 80th Birthday!  What a grand way to celebrate...with your family on a trip to London!  You and the family had so many trips over the years to come back to South Dakota to visit Paul and Sally.  I (Deb) remember being excited about your arrival, and...

Happy Birthday Dr. Ode (Jim) from your former student from T-burg! During my high school years, I will never forget a particular lesson I had with you after diligently preparing a solo the previous week, only to totally botch it in your presence.  I finish the solo,...

Jim, Happy Birthday from your old music (and basketball!) buddy, Steve Mauk. I know now why you are such a special person; you have the same birthday as me (although I'm still a youngster at only 65). I recall fondly your mentoring and leadership here on the School of...

I am so glad to be able to forward greetings on this special day -- to you, in Herbert's London.  May your joys continue, Jim, and may our friendship continue, as well.  44 years -- from Eastman to the present -- is a good span, but we have some golden years still...

on a wonderful occasion and a life well lived (with much more of it to go)! Darwin

Happy Birthday Jim.. Enjoy your family and friends on your special day.. Cheers!

Dear Jim, Now that you're 80, we expect you have so much life experience, you'll be able to answer ALL of our questions about everything! Therefore, expect to get emails from us at least twelve times a day so that we can benefit from your vast store of knowledge. You...

Dear Jim, We think of you often and hope all is well. I have never forgotten that I owed my job at Ithaca College to your kind recommendation. I also fondly remember our performances together and the opportunity to sing at family weddings. As a new a faculty member at...

The big "8O" slipped up on us quickly it seems.  It doesn't seem like it's been long since you were playing the "Sugar Blues" at the Augie Viking Varieties Show as a freshman!  One other memorable event was going to your farm and getting a pig for the All Nations...

Happy birthday God bless you always  from Nas

Hi Jim: Many happy returns on your 80th.  Having just celebrated my 72nd, I know you must feel grateful as I do to reach these elevated years in good health.  I remember well your visit to Ithaca in 1999 when we dedicated the building addition and you brought along...

Dear Jim, I know you still have it; I can hear you playing now.  Thanks for sharing your gifts and talents with so many wonderful people who are celebrating with you.  Keep on, keeping on. Dick Boettcher

Thank you for the opportunity to share in the happy occasion of your 80th birthday, Jim.   I have many good memories of you as a friend and as trumpeter extraordinaire(!) in band and orchestra with Professor Guderyahn, not to mention singing together in the Augustana...

Happy 80th Jim! Bill and I wish you a royal celebration in London! Cheers! Debbie

Uncle Jim, On behalf of all the Smedstad's especially my mother, Elaine, Sue and myself I wanted to wish you all the best as you cross another significant threshold in life with the celebration of your 80's birthday. Sue and I appreciate so much the dedication and...

You have been such a great role model of health and happiness.  I hope the good Lord will bless you with many more years of health and happiness!

I know Jim through Ruth, and I know Ruth through my parents Eileen and Dave Willison. Every time Ruth & Jim have been in Los Angeles we have had a great time eating and drinking together! I have known Ruth for the entirety of my 41 years (she is my God-Mother) - and I...

Hope you have the most fantastic time at your London party! A very, very Happy Birthday to you! We'll see you soon for another wonderful Christmas together. Love, Stephanie and Cassie

Over 20 years and you thought it wouldn't last. All the best, Lou, Grisell, and Luis

Happy Birthday to a sweet toned trumpeter.  Continued happy playing.  Lee and Ihla

Have a wonderful birthday and enjoy your family!! I finally retired from the DSO, but I'm still teaching at SMU, and enjoying it more than ever. Miss seeing you there!! Have a great year! Jean Larson Garver

I am impressed by his accomplishments and honored to be his friend.....and enjoy riding shot gun on his "town watch" patrols! Happy Birthday Bill

Happy Birthday Jim - wishing you many, many more! Renee and David Karp

You may recall I took your place at Ithaca College in 1981, and let me say how grateful I am that you left the trumpets in such excellent shape! We also played together a time to two in the Victoria Bach Festival when you were in San Antonio, and again as a trio for a...

It's been awhile since you and I played trumpet together at Augie and at Fort Carson but the memories are still vivid - Remember our first Division Review and "Americans We" 32 times in succession? You helped make a sometimes difficult time more enjoyable in those...

Dear Dr. Ode Happy Birthday! I'm so proud to think that the night before your big party, you will be coming to see me and the LPO perform, even though I'm sure the alternative options in London were endless... I hope you have a fantastic time ! Pieter

Dear Jim, I wish you the very best on this milestone birthday. I remember, with great fondness, my "year of discovery" in working with you at Ithaca College 1980-81. What a great experience it was to have you as my teacher and to discover the challenges and joys of...

I am so pleased we've stayed in touch these 42 years since I joined the IC Faculty. You were a great mentor and friend who made my transition into the world of academia much less daunting. Gail and I are honored to be asked to help you celebrate this milestone...

Happy 80th, Jim!  Gosh, we must be getting old when the youngest of this generation reaches 80.  May you have many more happy, happy birthdays, Jim. Wayne and Moni

Happy Birthday Dr. Ode! Bibiana and I hope you have a wonderful celebration with lots of cake and cookies... and something to drink!   We always enjoy hearing of your travels around the world and keeping in touch with you and Ruth about Dallas.  I've enjoyed all the...

Jim, Ruth told me all about your wonderful trip to London with all the family. What a beautiful way to celebrate your special day!  Have a fabulous trip...and a beautiful celebration! Cissy with Tauck

Dear Jim, Happy birthday and welcome to the "80s Club!"  I will be 84 on my next birthday.  It doesn't seem possible but it was about 5 decades ago that we were in Ithaca together and shared some wonderful experiences at Ithaca College and Ithaca High School.  Happy...

Happy Birthday Jim!! I am so glad to hear about your party. There aren't words to express how much I owe you for providing my musical college career (47 years now at Eastern Michigan University). The memories and experiences I have from working with and learning from...