Leroy Thomas O’Dell, born in Nebraska in 1880, played a key role in making Passi City famous for pineapple farming. After joining the U.S. Army, he stayed in the Philippines, married a local woman, and later smuggled pineapple seedlings from Hawaii to grow in Passi. This helped turn Passi into the “Sweet City in the Heart of Panay,” boosting its economy and giving the town a new identity. He also invested in mining and supported the Philippine resistance against the Japanese during World War II, refusing to cooperate with the occupiers. O’Dell was captured, tortured, and executed in 1944 for his resistance efforts. His legacy lives on through Passi’s pineapple industry and his bravery during the war.
Domain:
Photo Credit/s:
Intellectual Reserve, Inc., n.d.
Mappers:
Ma. Ruffa Palmares, Cindy S. Pablico, Edwin M. Adoracion, Jr., Justine P. Ligasan, Jay Delideli
Tags:
Filipino agricultural legacy, Filipino American WWII hero, Filipino pineapple farming history, Filipino war hero, Filipino war resistance leader, Filipino war sacrifice, Filipino wartime martyr, Filipino-American farmer, Hawaii pineapple seedlings, Japanese occupation resistance, Leroy Thomas O'Dell, Panay pineapple industry, , Passi City economic development, Passi City economy booster, Passi City history, Passi City mining investor, Passi City pineapple pioneer, Passi City Sweet City of Panay, Philippine resistance fighter, Philippine World War II resistance
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