A tribute to Dr. Clair O’Dell

by Franciska Anderson Barr

Dr. Clair O’Dell has fulfilled many roles in his lifetime: son, brother, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, and friend. Yet, his choice of livelihood -- doctor of chiropractic -- brings all of these roles together in a caring and compassionate individual.

Dr. O’Dell has clearly inspired and influenced many about the benefits of chiropractic. “At an early age I studied and worried about the purpose of my life… I had a strong innate feeling I was born to be something special… At the age of 16 while searching for my purpose, Providence sent the answer my way,” he writes in an autobiographical sketch. 

Born in 1916 and raised on a farm in Cass City, Michigan, Clair O’Dell was surrounded by a loving and caring family. This close-knit family nearly experienced a loss of incredible magnitude. Clair’s father, a powerful influence on his early life, was stricken at the age of 50 with an illness that kept medical doctors mystified for more than two years. All known medical treatments failed and his health continued to decline. The situation seemed dire.

Worried about his father’s worsening condition, O’Dell confided in a family friend, Judson Biglow, that his father was not doing well and the outcome of the illness looked very grim. He was not expected to live much longer, so the family was preparing for the worst. Biglow then spoke the words that would forever change the young man’s life and, by extension, the chiropractic profession. “Clair,” he asked, “why don’t you try a chiropractor?”

Those six words lit the path for young O’Dell to follow. It was the first time he’d ever heard the term but as he watched his father’s health improve rapidly under the care of the town chiropractor, he quickly realized that his life’s purpose was right in front of him. Providence had indeed given him an answer. He knew he was to become a chiropractor and help sick people get well.

Journey of a lifetime

His father, after his miraculous recovery, lived another 22 productive years -- thanks to the Cass City chiropractor, Dr. Lavely. As Dr. O’Dell writes in his booklet, My Miracle of 1934: How and Why I Became a Chiropractor, “After being a first-hand witness to this so-called miracle, how could I have done or been anything else [but a chiropractor]? In just three seconds, my friend changes my life… I continue to be ever so grateful for this friend who cared enough to think to say, ‘Why don’t you try a chiropractor?’ Only three seconds out of his life to change the life of me, my dad, and so many, many people.”

Those three seconds lasted a lifetime as young O’Dell headed to Davenport, Iowa, to meet Dr. BJ Palmer at the PSC -- Palmer School of Chiropractic. He registered in September 1934 and graduated in August 1936. While at school, O’Dell established a relationship with Dr. Palmer that ended only with Palmer’s death in 1961. As Dr. O’Dell recalls, “I had the great opportunity to introduce Dr. Palmer on many occasions, such as conventions, clinic openings, radio interviews, TV interviews, too many to mention.”

The two had a kinship in chiropractic’s common principle of “above down-inside out.” BJ Palmer taught and mentored Dr. O’Dell, and the two maintained great respect for each other throughout the years. Shortly before he died, Palmer asked to see him, and with the parting words, “Clair, I trust you,” passed him the torch to fight some yet unforeseen battles -- none more important than the National Chiropractic Anti-Trust Committee lawsuit against the American Medical Association. Twenty-six years in court and many dollars later, the AMA was found guilty of violating the Sherman Anti-Trust laws, a victory for chiropractic that saved the profession.

Fulfilling his purpose

For the past 70 years, Dr. O’Dell has been an inspiration to countless individuals. He has cared for thousands upon thousands of patients, received scores of awards, and served the chiropractic community by living and honoring the chiropractic mission of healing. His many accomplishments are too numerous to list, but to highlight some, Dr. O’Dell:

Dr. O’Dell has been honored with many awards including: a Lifetime Achievement award from the Michigan Sherman Club (1991), a Distinguished Service award from Pennsylvania College of Straight Chiropractic (1991), a Doctor of Chiropractic Humanities award by Sherman College (1977 & 2002), and a Lifetime Service award from Parker College (2002). Additionally, he was elected governor of the World Chiropractic Alliance in 2000 and the following year named “Humanitarian of the World” by the WCA.

Even with all the demands on his time, Dr. O’Dell has found time to write, travel, speak at special events, and lecture on the principles of chiropractic.

One last unachieved goal

Each of the stages that Dr. O’Dell has experienced -- watching his father regain his health, going to chiropractic college, opening a chiropractic office, caring for those miracle cases, receiving the accolades and appreciation of his peers -- add up to an extraordinary life of purpose.

Only one thing remains for this remarkable man. He has dreamed of a single powerful, straight-principled national organization under which to unite all chiropractors. However, as long as the identity of chiropractic is preserved and the word gets out to the world about the benefits of chiropractic, Dr. O’Dell is happy. “I’ve always considered myself the luckiest chiropractor on the face of the earth,” he says. “I love to continue to informing people of the natural wonders of chiropractic. How safe it is. How natural it is… Getting sick people well is the most rewarding thing I know of.”

As Dr. O’Dell writes so eloquently, “May the present and future generations be so inspired to save chiropractic for all people in this world.”

(Franciska Anderson Barr is a freelance writer and editor who resides in Oregon, Wisconsin. Her interest in chiropractic and natural health care began when she was hired to work for Dr. Howard F. Loomis as his editor. Nearly eight years later, she is fulfilling the dream of having an article published in The Chiropractic Journal. Comments on this article are welcome via e-mail at franciska@runbox.com)