Gerald F. O'Donnell

Gerald F. O'Donnell, 91, of Dallas, passed away Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at Allied Services Hospice Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Born in Swoyersville, Feb. 3, 1933, Gerald was the son of the late Arthur and Mary Lukacinsky O'Donnell.

Gerald was a graduate of Swoyersville High School, Class of 1951, and received an associate degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University in 1958.

During his high school years, he played running back for the Swoyersville Sailors. He excelled in football and was offered a full scholarship to George Washington University in 1951.

A United States Air Force veteran, Gerald honorably served his country for four years during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge from active duty on April 27, 1956, he attained the rank of staff sergeant. He then went on to serve four more years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, receiving an honorable discharge on March 31, 1960.

A proud veteran, Gerald was a member of the American Legion Post 644, Swoyersville, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 283, Kingston, the Catholic War Veterans Post 1601, Swoyersville, and was a former member of the American Legion Post 672, Dallas.

Gerald retired in 1987 from the Federal Aviation Administration where he had been employed for 31 years as the air traffic control tower chief.

His musical talents included playing the accordion, guitar, organ and any instrument that had strings. He was an avid fan of the Washington Commanders football team. He enjoyed camping, fishing, walking the trails along Black Walnut River and he especially enjoyed family pizza nights.

Above all, family was the most important thing to Gerald and he loved nothing more than spending time with his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Farrell O'Donnell; son, Mark O'Donnell; brothers, Alexander, Arthur and Robert O'Donnell; and sister, Josephine Homnick.

Surviving are his children, Gerald F. O'Donnell Jr., Harrisburg; Jeffery O'Donnell and his wife, Kathy, Trucksville; Michelle Stavish and her husband, Gary, West Wyoming; and Michael O'Donnell and his wife, Patti, Swoyersville; seven grandchildren; one great grandson; two great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation and funeral services were held at Bednarski Funeral Home, 168 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes St., Swoyersville, with the Rev. John J. Chmil officiating.

Interment was in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton, where military honors were accorded by the United States Air Force.

Condolences may be made at www.bednarskifuneralhome.com.