Michael “Mike” Anselm McDonnell, was born to Fred Dwyer and Cecilia Bloch McDonnell, in Houston, TX, on January 27, 1938, and made his transition on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at his home in Copperas Cove, TX, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services with military honors for retired Sergeant First Class Michael McDonnell will be held Thursday, June 4, 2020, at 12:00 pm, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1001 Georgetown Rd, Copperas Cove, TX. Internment will follow at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
Mike is survived by his wife of 42 years, Marianna Murphy McDonnell, children Ted McDonnell of Youngwood, PA, Rebecca Clark of Harker Heights, Rachael Carruthers of Kerrville, Elizabeth “Liz” Parker and husband John Parker of Killeen, Laura Price and husband Chris Price of Denison, and grandchildren Avery Parker, Jake Parker, and Hoss Price. He also called Gean Qin of Shanghai, China and Lisa Tscharnke of Hannover, Germany “daughters of his heart”. They have continued to visit his family, after becoming our exchange students in 2008.
He is also survived by special relatives and numerous friends. His sisters in law: Marsha Murphy, Denver, CO and Marilyn and Michael Schooling, Tulsa, OK. Mike’s cousins: Richard Johnson, Chicago, IL, Maureen and Richard Jouett, Killeen, and Barbara Hughes, Irwin, PA. Also Brother In Arms Arlie Johnson, Palm Coast FL and fellow soldiers Margaret King, Sacramento, CA, Otto Ortiz, Vonore, TN, Marc Payne and Robert Golding, Copperas Cove.
Michael grew up in Houston, was a cub scout and an altar boy at St. Anne’s and attended St. Thomas HS, through 10th grade. There he was known as Dwyer Gerrard McDonnell which he legally changed in 1956.
He completed his GED in the US Army, while serving 11 years in the Infantry and 15 years in the Military Intelligence branch. Awards included the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Bronze Star. During his tours in Vietnam he served as a (LRRP) Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol. He was also a Counterparts Advisor and he assisted the Vietnamese resettlement in Arkansas, after the war. His last assignment before retiring in 1983 at Ft. Hood, was the three year tour with his family in Germany. From 1980-’81, Michael was one of 14 USA soldiers in Berlin, who were assigned to (USMLM) the US Military Liaison Mission to the Group Soviet Forces, in Potsdam, East Germany.
Mike was married to Alice Jane Grove, the mother of Ted, Becky and Rachael, from 1958 until her death in 1976. Michael married Marianna on August 13, 1977 at Harker Heights United Methodist Church.
Mike finished earning his Bachelors of Science in 1987 from American Technological University in Killeen, which later became Central Texas College. He also completed nine graduate hours in criminal justice.
After his US Army Retirement, Michael served as an Officer in the Texas State Guard from 1990-’98. They provided security service for community events in the central TX area, including Krist Kindle Markt in downtown Cove.
His professional certifications included: Certified Protection Professional from American Society of Industrial Security, and Certified Fraud Examiner, by the ACFE. He applied these in his ownership of Asset Security Consultants in Killeen from 1983-’85. From 1986-2007 Mike did contract work and also carried federal credentials doing background investigations.
He’d been a member of St. Joseph’s in Killeen until the family built in Cove. When he joined Holy Family Catholic Church in 1986, he became active with the Knights of Columbus.
He was a member of the CC Chamber of Commerce, served a term on the CC Planning & Zoning Board, and was a life member of the Friends of the CC Public Library.
Mike read voraciously! Religion, military history, and the novels of James Lee Burke filled his mind and shelves. His Rock & Roll came from the ‘50s &’60s. He worked on an HO train layout with trains and villages bought in East Berlin. And he took his family and friends to the 2001 Round Rock Express home games on Friday nights. He watched his daughters play sports, especially Lady Dawg Soccer in ’96-’98 and 2008. Michael A. McDonnell was dedicated to his Family. They recognize that he lived with Integrity.
His favorite vacations were family camping in Austria and Switzerland, train trips to Florence and Rome, a cruise to Alaska, returning to Stonehenge as a civilian, and tours through England, Scotland and to Ireland, especially where his Dwyer and McDonnell ancestors had lived in County Antrim.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choosing.
Family members extend their appreciation to Marliese Patterson, Raul Medina, Joe Vogt, Ronda Ware, LMT, Kim Ave. neighbors, Stephanie Masters, CNA, and the Knights of Columbus.
A viewing will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm with recitation of the Rosary occurring at 7:00 pm.
on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 211 W. Ave. B, Copperas Cove.
Condolences may be offered at www.CrawfordBowers.org.
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