Don Joseph O’Donnell

1937 – 2017

After a long and fulfilling life, Don Joseph O’Donnell of Houston, Texas passed away on Monday, the 16th of January 2017, at the age of 79.  He was born on the 7th of November 1937, and raised in Pontiac, Illinois.  He moved to Houston, Texas in 1961. Don raised his family in Houston and had a successful career as a civil engineer where he worked two decades for Griffin Dewatering Corporation and another two decades owning and running his own company, O’Donnell Dewatering. Throughout his career, he provided support for the development of residential and commercial infrastructure projects that contributed to the significant growth of the city from the early 1970’s to the early 2000’s. He and his employees successfully completed projects throughout the state, the nation, as well as a significant project in Cairo, Egypt.

Don was most proud of and worked hardest at raising his children and loving them, his daughter in law, grandchildren and extended family. He impacted the lives of so many people touched by his kindness, generosity and passion for life. Don made it a point to say hello and engage in conversation with everyone he came in contact with, no matter what their station in life. Whether you knew him for a few minutes or his entire life you knew that he was genuine and true and that he would be there if you needed him. 

Don had fun in life and a great sense of humor that filled the room. Those he encountered were lucky to experience his charming personality. 

Following his retirement, he enjoyed many years living on his farm in Grapeland, Texas. Don found happiness working outdoors, tending to his property. He was a cowboy at heart and loved nature, trees, flowers and Gods gifts versus material things.

Don attended Indiana Tech and graduated from Milliken University where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering.

Don was an extraordinary giver in life and was rarely a taker. He had a special place in his heart for those in need. He provided significant support to the Salvation Army, The United Way, the Catholic Church and through daily random acts of kindness.

Don is survived by his daughter, Heather O’Donnell of Chicago, Illinois; his son and daughter-in-law Mark and Cindy O’Donnell of Houston, Texas; his grandchildren Whitley and Bradley O’Donnell of Houston, Texas; his sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Jim DeBolt of Colorado Springs, Colorado and his nieces and nephew Debra DeBolt of Dale, Texas; Sheila Seabloom of Monument, Colorado and Kristi and Dean Couture of Colorado Springs, Colorado and their families. He also had many grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother Clarence and Edith O’Donnell of Pontiac, Illinois and his former wife Starr Gregg of Houston, Texas.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Donald during a reception to held from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 20th of January, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The memorial service is to be conducted at noon on Saturday, the 21st of January, in the Jasek chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed towards The Salvation Army, 1500 Austin St., Houston, TX 77002.

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