James Jurgens O’Donnell, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2014, surrounded by his closest family. He was 85-years-old.
Mr. O’Donnell was born November 20, 1929 in Mansfield, Ohio to Mary Margaret Jurgens and John Cornelius O’Donnell. He attended Mansfield St. Peter’s School before going on to obtain his Bachelor’s and law degrees from Notre Dame and Fordham University and continuing post-graduate studies at NYU. Upon completing his education, he served as an intelligence officer for the United States Army in the Korean War for 19 months near Seoul. Following his service, he married Mary Ann Cusic in 1963 at St. Peter’s Church in Mansfield.
He lived an accomplished and colorful life with hundreds of stories to prove it. Following in his father and brothers’ footsteps (all of whom were attorneys) he became an Irish Catholic trial lawyer with the firm of Anderson, Will & O’Donnell in Mansfield. He was also an active member of the local Democratic political scene serving as president of the Richland County Bar Association, local Democratic Party Chairman, Richland County Law Library Secretary, former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Counsel for the Toledo Diocese, and Secretary of the Mansfield Notre Dame Club. Additionally, he was a long-standing member of the Amvets Post #26, Elks Lodge, Serra and University Clubs.
He is survived by his daughter, Ann Mullee Schmidt; son-in-law, James Schmidt; son, James Patrick O’Donnell; daughter-in-law, Kathy West O’Donnell; grandchildren, Ellen and Meghan Schmidt; step-grandchildren, Shane and Shannon West; beloved friend Colleen Gatton; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann; his brothers John C. (Jack) O’Donnell Jr. and Hugh B. O’Donnell; his sister, Mary Dorothy O’Donnell Peters; and his infant son.
Compassionate but hard-nosed, Jim was admired and respected by all who knew him. In addition to his immense love of Notre Dame Football, he loved and cherished his family, always boasting more of their accomplishments than his own. Special thanks to Hospice of North Central Ohio, Mansfield Memorial Homes, and Primrose Retirement Community for their kindness and compassion.
Friends may call at Herlihy-Chambers Funeral Home, 173 Park Avenue West, on Friday from 4-7 p.m., with a vigil service at 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with Fr. Jeremy Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Mansfield Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Msgr. Dunn Foundation.
