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McDonnell, John 'Jack' Thomas
John “Jack” Thomas McDonnell, 87, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at the Hiawatha Care Center following a short illness. Funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at St. Pius X Catholic Church with the Rev. Phil Thompson officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Private inurnment will take place at Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Surviving are his children, Bob (Rhonda) McDonnell of Loveland, Colo., Mike (Rosanne) McDonnell of Fort Collins, Colo., Kathy McDonnell of Hiawatha, Steve (Becky) McDonnell of Des Moines, Joy (Gary) Ryan of Hiawatha, and Denny (Lynnette) McDonnell of Cedar Rapids; his grandchildren, Chad (Jennifer), Maggie, Kate, Jack, Matt (Molly Daugherty), Nick, Brock, Amber, Morgan, Trent, Jake and Jenny; and great-grandchildren, Grace, Claire, Gavin, Trevor and Dante.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn; and his brother, Bob.
John Thomas McDonnell was born Oct. 17, 1924, in Oelwein, the son of Howard J. and Anna R. (Graham) McDonnell. He graduated from Oelwein High School in 1942 and was selected as an all state football player. John later graduated from the University of Iowa in 1951 with a degree in electrical engineering. He played football for the Hawkeyes during his college career and was a letterman. John served his country honorably in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He was united in marriage to Evelyn M. Huffman on June 16, 1944, in Windsor Locks, Ct. She preceded him in death in 1982. He was employed as an electrical engineer at Rockwell Collins for many years.
Whether you knew him as John, Jack, Mr. Mc, Coach, JT, Dad, Grandpa or Papa you knew a man of wisdom, humility and integrity. He was a man who displayed caring and generosity and love of family above all. He was admired and respected by all those fortunate enough to have known him.
Please leave a message, tribute or memory to John's family on the webpage, under Obituaries.
Published in The Gazette Jan. 23, 2012.
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