Larry O’Dell; Retired Photographer

Larry O’Dell, whose group photographs of employees chronicled decades of history of California government agencies and private companies, has died at a La Mirada hospital. He was 92.

A longtime resident of Sherman Oaks, O’Dell died Monday of natural causes, his son, Tom O’Dell, said.

Born Lawrence Dell Schibsby in Minneapolis, Minn., he changed his name to Larry O’Dell while performing in vaudeville acts. In 1919, he came to Hollywood, where he worked under contract to Cecil B. De Mille in at least 30 silent films.

Under the company name of Larry O’Dell & Associates, which he started in 1928, O’Dell traveled throughout California shooting group photographs of various workers including Los Angeles city and county workers and employees of the U.S. Postal Service and Southern California Edison Co. The photographs, shot with a 1915 Korona Panoramic View 8-by-10 camera, were done in black and white so they wouldn’t fade with time, said his son, who now owns O’Dell Photo. The pictures were sold to the employees.

During World War II and the Korean War, O’Dell also made photo identification cards for the defense industry, military and movie studio employees. He worked until he was 90.

He is survived by his sons, Tom O’Dell of Sherman Oaks and Gregory Burns of Woodland Hills; daughter Linda Burns of San Francisco, and three grandchildren.

Services will be private. The Neptune Society in San Pedro is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in O’Dell’s name to the United Way Inc.