McDonnell, John Thomas – 1924-2012

GRAHAM, HUFFMAN, MCDONNELL, RYAN

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/20/2024 at 10:38:25

Cedar Rapids - John "Jack" Thomas McDonnell, 87, of Cedar Rapids, died Jan. 21, 2012 at the Hiawatha Care Center following a short illness.
Funeral Mass will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012 at St. Pius X Catholic Church with the Rev. Phil Thompson officiating. Private inurnment will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.
Surviving are his children, Bob (Rhonda) McDonnell of Loveland, Colo., Mike (Rosanne) McDonnell of Ft. 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; 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, Conn. 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.
A message, tribute or memory to John's family can be left on the Cedar Memorial webpage, www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Wednesday, January 25, 2012, page 5B