James A. O’Donnell

Mr. O’Donnell died Thursday, April 11, 2002, at Olathe Good Samaritan Center.

He was born Nov. 15, 1922, in Emporia, the son of John H. and Rachel (Eastman) O’Donnell. He was a graduate for Emporia High School and attended the College of Emporia.

Mr. O’Donnell enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the South Pacific during World War II from July 1943 to September 1944. He was honorably discharged from Aircraft Engineering Squadron 22, Air Base Group 2, as a staff sergeant in October 1945.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Emporia State Teachers College in 1948, and his master’s in education from Emporia State University in 1951.

He began his teaching and coaching career at Lawrence public schools, where he was employed from 1953 to 1968. He had retired from the position of vice principal at Shawnee Heights High School, Tecumseh.

He was a member of the Catholic church.

He married Virginia L. Moore on Aug. 6, 1949. She died in 1976.

Survivors include two daughters, Terry Jane Velasquez, Olathe, and Becky O’Donnell, Manhattan; a sister, Dorothy Burns, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; and two grandchildren.

Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorials to the Emporia State University Scholarship Fund, sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to www.rumsey-yost.com.