St. John's Coalition in Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Inventor of FSU Tomahawk Chop
| | St. John's Cemetery | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2025
1. Inventor of FSU Tomahawk Chop Marker
A graduate and avid fan of Florida State University, Wally initiated the university's famous tomahawk chop while attending home football games in the 1980s. The arrow through his tombstone compliments this connection, as Wally, while watching the Seminoles, used to wear a ball cap with an arrow piercing both sides. Wally stands in the photo with his sons, Wesley (shorter) and Bradley (taller). The Schnauzer dog sculpture is in memory of Wally's favorite dog, Baxter.
Erected 2018 by Pensacola Bay Area Impact 100 and St. John's Cemetery Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not series list.
Location. 30° 24.988′ N, 87° 14.025′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. It is in St. John's Coalition. It can be reached from the intersection of North G Street and West Belmont Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is on the St. John's Cemetery grounds, about 90 meters west of the gatehouse.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Interment (a few steps from this marker); Mollie McCoy (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic North Side (within shouting distance of this marker); William F. Miller (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary W. Willis (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Lewis Willis (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward A. Perry (within shouting distance of this marker); Zinc Marker (within shouting
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2025
2. Inventor of FSU Tomahawk Chop Marker
Looking west through St. John's Cemetery. The marker is on the left side of the Wallace S. Odom Tombstone.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. St. John's Cemetery
Also see . . .
1. Wallace S. Odom Obituary (Legacy.com).
Excerpt: Every autumn, Wally's biggest interest was Seminole football. He was an avid fan before FSU became a football powerhouse.(Submitted on April 29, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Wallace Wally S. Odom (1938-2014) (Florida Cemeteries - facebook).
(By Traci Mόller Rylands, 2/23/2023) Excerpt: Wallace Wally S. Odom (1938-2014) is thought to be the initiator of the infamous tomahawk chop first used by Florida State University Seminole football fans in the 1980s. Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Chiefs fans have also adopted it.(Submitted on April 29, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2025
3. Wallace S. Odom Tombstone
Wally
Apr. 3, 1938
Jan. 28, 2014
Go Seminoles!
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
