Joseph Richard Oden, Jr., 54, left this life to become our heavenly angel on September 16, 2021.

Joey was born in Wheeling, WV on September 8, 1967 to Mr. Joseph R. Oden, Sr and Dr. Barbara J. Oden of Institute, WV.

Known to family and friends as "Joey," he embodied the best of who we are. He was handsome, kind, clever, had a witty sense of humor and a smile that could light up a room.

Joey graduated from Dunbar High School where he was a standout basketball player. In 1985, he was the Bulldogs team captain that won the West Virginia AA state championship. He took his talents to West Virginia State College (now University) where he was a member of the WVSC  1987 "Hoop Squad" WVIAC Championship Basketball team. He will always be remembered as an eagle eyed three-point shooter.

He graduated from State in 1989 with a degree in Business Management, received his Master's degree of Leadership Studies from Marshall University in 1999, and worked for WVSU for nearly 30 years in numerous positions of Student Activities, Student Affairs & Enrollment.

Joey's love for "State" led him to become a mentor to many students. He was the unofficial "Dean of Students." Joey enjoyed coaching students in the Honda Campus All Star Challenge and created WVSU Cares Day and the "State Stride" orientation activity - two initiatives that prove his dedication to students.

He was inducted into the 2005 "W" Club Sports Hall of Fame. He was also a favorite "emcee" at the Sports Hall of Fame Breakfast creating a buzz that caused future students to aspire to Hall of Fame excellence in athletics.

Joey became a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated in 2003. He loved the brotherhood, but he especially loved helping others.

While Joey loved basketball, State, and Omega, his first love was his family. In, 1995, Joey married his high school sweetheart, Monique Spencer. To their union, two children were born – Joi and Jara. Joey believed family was important and together he and Monique built a family with strong morals, values and traditions. He was proud of the relationships he had with his children; his daughter's success in college and his son's career as a nurse.

He would affectionately refer to his family as "the women in my life." Some of his favorite things to do was spending time with his family at home and enjoying Monique's cooking. Joey enjoyed playing card games, singing and dancing to music, watching the storms, fireworks and watching his beloved San Francisco 49ers. Joey was his own "Mr. Fix It." He enjoyed trivia debates about Jeopardy and sports with his mom and sister, Karen.

Known to his great-nieces as "Bumpy", he was the fun uncle to Stacy, Alease, Camille, and Gabrielle. Joey enjoyed spending time with his nephews, Michael, Tae, Alex and Adrian during special occasions and family reunions. He admired the strength and faithfulness of "Maw Maw", (Monique's mom). Charlotte Fuller "Char", a neighbor for more than 18 years, considered Joey her guardian angel. Joey also took his role as godfather seriously to Julia and Kennedi and loved the time he spent with them when they visited. He had a special connection with Timo. Joey was the definition of a loving family man.

Joey always had a heart for people with special needs and often volunteered at the Special Olympics. He will be remembered for his athleticism but we will miss his generosity more.

He was preceded in death by his father, Mr. Joseph Oden, Sr.

Joey is survived by his wife, Monique Spencer Oden; daughters, Joi and Jara Oden all of Institute; son, Schaun (Jessica) of South Charleston; mother, Dr. Barbara Oden; sister, Karen Oden; nieces, Stacy, Gabrielle and Camille; goddaughters, Julia Minor and Kennedi Ford; and his special little buddy, Timo Jackson.

Joey's life will be celebrated on Friday, September 24, 2021 on the beautiful campus of WVSU in the Walker Convocation Center. Viewing will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. followed by the funeral at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Grandview Memorial Park. All arrangements have been entrusted to Keller Funeral Home.

Masks will be required and COVID protocols will be followed.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Joey Oden Memorial Scholarship Fund through WVSU Foundation, P.O Box 1000, Institute, WV 25112 or Memorial Gifts.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.