Lamar Odom mourns father Joe’s death, pays tribute: ‘We had our differences, but I knew he loved me’

Lamar Odom has paid tribute to his father Joe on social media days after his death.

The 41-year-old NBA champion took to his Instagram on Monday to thank his friends and family for their support and even touched on the complicated relationship he had with his dad.

He shared a photo of a painting of he and his dad together with his 740K followers with a caption which began: ‘Thank you to everyone who extended love and prayers to me during my time of bereavement [red heart emoji]  I appreciate every single one of you for sending me good energy.

Lamar went on to say that despite difficulties in their relationship, he knew that his Vietnam veteran father cared about him.

He wrote: ‘Life is not promised. My pops and I had our differences but at the end of the day I knew he loved me and I loved him and that’s really all that matters.

‘I encourage you to take some time and make amends with family and friends, tell someone you love them, smile a little more, laugh out loud, give your heart to those that deserve it because NOTHING is promised but death.’ 

The former Los Angeles Lakers star also revealed that Love And Hip Hop Atlanta star and pal Karlie Redd had actually commissioned the beautiful art piece. 

Lamar said: ‘Special thanks to @iamkarlieredd for having this picture made of me and my father and being an amazing friend to me always [red heart emoji]

‘Now the work begins, I have a legacy to leave !!’ 

Lamar announced that his father had died two weeks ago as he posted a photo of himself with a caption which talked about his eyes seeing the best and worst in mankind and how his heart has been filled with love but also been cold as ice. 

He wrote: ‘These tears have been from joy and pain, as I embark on burying my father I ask that you extend good energy and kindness towards my family and myself.

‘Understand that the most important and formative relationships you will ever have will be with family [red heart emoji] Embrace it. Life is uncertain.’

The former pro athlete’s complicated relationship with his father began at childhood as Joe ultimately left when Lamar was seven-years-old.

Lamar’s mother tragically died of colon cancer when he was just 14 as Joe became a heroin addict and was absent for most of his life.

In 2009 the former NBA star married Khloe Kardashian who persuaded him to reunite and reconcile with his father Joe on their reality show Khloe & Lamar. 

In 2015, Joe had rushed to the hospital to be with Lamar after his drug overdose at a Nevada brothel but claimed at the time that Khloe had blocked him from visiting.

‘I just wish I could be at his side in LA to support him, but Khloe doesn’t want me there,’ Joe told PageSix at the time.