Lubomir Odvarko Jr.

Lubomir “Lubo” Odvarko Jr., 71, of Bettendorf, passed away Friday, January 19, 2024, surrounded by family after a long hard battle with illness. According to his wishes, a private service will be held in his home country of the Czech Republic. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Lubo was born March 15, 1952, in Czechoslovakia, the son of Lubomir and Marie (Plachy) Odvarko Sr. While in Europe he played the trumpet and drums, while participating in multiple hometown bands. While in school he played soccer, hockey, and track and field winning multiple medals. He went on to trade school where he learned to become a tool and die maker. In 1969, he came to the United States from Czechoslovakia with his family, living in Bettendorf for the past 55 years. Arriving in the states, at age 17 with limited English, he found work with local farmers in the area. Eventually he would use his tool and die background to get hired by local machine shops. On October 9, 1976, he was united in marriage to Nancy Dopson whom he shared two children with. After 20 plus years of marriage they separated but remained good friends. In March of 1983 Lubo started working for the Rock Island Arsenal as a tool and die maker, retiring in 2013 with 30 years of civil service.

Throughout his life he was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. After arriving in the states he continued his passion for sports, participating in various soccer and hockey leagues also becoming a high level practitioner of martial arts, breaking 32 boards at once. In his free time, he loved coaching sports of all age groups. He helped coach Bettendorf High School to become state champions and assisted other local schools in their soccer programs. What Lubo loved most was to take road trips and spend time outdoors hunting, fishing or just sitting by a fire with family and friends. Whether it was chasing elk out west, bears in Canada, whitetails in Iowa or just sitting on the banks of the Cedar river, he always found his peace in the outdoors.

Those left to honor his memory include his children, Stacey (Jiri) Odvarko-Hanus and Justin (Natasha) Odvarko, all of Bettendorf; seven grandchildren, Taylor Odvarko, Kristyna and Nicholas Hanus, Peyton Odvarko, Sydney Pilger, Tanner Johnson, Coleton Nicola; his sister, Dr. Jaroslava Odvarko of Bettendorf.

He was preceded in death by his parents and loyal golden retriever Sandy.