Paul Joseph O'Donnell Jr.

Paul was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 27, 1929 to Paul J. and Marjorie O’Donnell. He grew up with a group of friends in Omaha that stayed in touch and remained friends into their later years. With the advent of the Korean War, Paul left college to serve his country in the Navy and upon his honorable discharge in 1953 he returned to the University of Nebraska where he received both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science.

Paul began a 35 year career as a geologist and paleontologist with Shell Oil Company in Casper, Wyoming. In Casper he met Janice Elaine Smith and they were married in 1958. While still in Casper their son Brian Paul and daughter Sondra Elaine were born.

Paul’s career with Shell brought the family to Texas – Corpus Christi, Houston, Midland and then back to Houston. On their return to Houston, Paul and family built a new home in the northwest suburbs. Adapting quite well to the Texas climate, they would not return to the cold Midwestern winters of their youth but would call northwest Houston home for over 45 years.

Paul enjoyed playing tennis and golf and became a regular attendee at Texas Aggie football games, keeping season tickets long after he made the last tuition payment for his children. Once retired from Shell, he added, with the help of his son-in-law Jim, a well-equipped woodshop onto his garage. Several finely crafted pieces of cabinetry and furniture followed in the years to come. He still found time to play numerous rounds of golf into his mid-80’s (even making a hole in one once.)

When Paul’s grandkids Jake and Zach were born, he learned a whole new kind of love. He was absolutely devoted to them and received great enjoyment from being with them, and they with him. Always a lover of music, and with very eclectic tastes, Paul paid close attention to the music his grandsons were listening to, especially during the boys high school years, and loved a lot of it! Fair to say he was tuned in and appreciative of bands most folks his age were completely unaware of. Paul even changed his football allegiance from A&M to UT when Zach chose the University of Texas to further his education.

When his wife had a stroke in 2015 he devoted all of his energy and time into helping to take care of her. When they moved in to Buckner Villas everyone was amazed at his devotion to Janice. Paul lived his final years at Buckner Villas in Austin, TX. He’ll be remembered as a man of great generosity who shared so much with family, neighbors and friends. He truly judged people based on their character and not their ethnicity or other unimportant superficialities. What a wonderful and powerful example for his children and grandkids. The family would like to give our heart-felt thanks and appreciation to the wonderful people that took care of him the last 4 years at Buckner Villas. This was a very special group of nurses and caregivers that have become part of our family.

Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wife Janice and his parents Paul, Sr. and Marjorie. He is survived by his son Brian and wife Missy, daughter Sondra Kenealy and husband Jim and grandsons Jake & Zach.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for the O'Donnell Jr. family.