James O'Donnell

James V. O'Donnell
6 June 1941
7 May 2012
GALVESTON James Vincent O'Donnell, Jr. age 70 of Galveston died Monday, May 7, 2012 at his residence in Galveston. Memorial services are 11:00 am Friday, May 11, 2012 at The Lyceum at First Lutheran Church 2401 Winnie in Galveston, the Reverend Dr. Brodace Elkins officiating.
Recognizing there was a chance I might someday die, I wrote this. I've sat in too many funeral homes watching people struggle with a creative writing exercise while their hearts were breaking. So they usually get it wrong. What follows is a summary of my life, and its losses, loves, and lessons. You may disagree with some of it, but I'm paying the bill for this, so don't expect me to be sparing in self-praise or completely objective in recollection. Here's some of what my years on the planet taught me.
What I Learned At Home Born in suburban New Jersey in 1941, inspired by my loving parents' example, I early on discovered the satisfaction of working hard. After graduating from college with a degree in English Literature, I traveled the country as a drug salesman, learning the fundamentals of marketing by selling cough drops, acne remedies and mucilaginous, malodorous, mentholated Vicks Vapo-Rub salve to drug stores.
What I Learned In School In addition to learning to love alliteration, my 'useless' liberal arts education helped me learn how to write and speak clearly and logically. Most importantly, it cemented my love for reading, which provided both refuge and ongoing education.
What I Learned From Selling Salve I was amused to learn that some farmers added Vapo-Rub to the feed for their chickens during the winter, to keep them healthy. Other people actually ate it by the spoonful every day because they believed it had magical medicinal properties. Some smeared it on their warts, because they thought it would make them go away. People who don't read books believe the darn'dest things.
What I Learned In Business After a few stultifying years with big companies (one 50-year old man I worked for at GE was immensely proud of his filing system!), I joined a small regional air carrier in upstate New York and contracted a disease called 'airline-itis', catching it by working in an industry where having fun on the job often took the place of career stability and earning significant income. I never aspired to be a Wall Street or Enron master-of-the universe - enjoying my work was more important. For the next 35 years I derived more pleasure from my jobs than most people do, got fired several times (by the same people who then hired me back), had some failures and successes, started a couple of new companies, and lost millions to a partner and his wife who stole it from my family and me. Those two turned dishonesty and disloyalty into an art form. Upon reflection, I don't regret my career choices because they paid the bills and almost always entertained me.
What I Learned From Retirement When I retired to a beach house on the Gulf of Mexico I spent all of my time with my family, reading, and enjoying doing little work. I don't know what I accomplished, but it always took me all day to get it done.
After decades of traveling to far-flung places, eating and drinking in the best restaurants, staying in upscale hotels and wearing expensive clothes, I found myself perversely content to wear Wal-Mart jeans and to seek out authentic Mexican restaurants for the sheer pleasure of living on the cheap. I figure that somewhere along the way I must have filled my quota for expensive things (except for the cameras, cars and computers).
What I Learned From My Family I am survived by my wife and best friend, Nonette. She is the kindest, most generous and patient person I've ever known. I woke up almost every morning looking forward to the day ahead with her. Nonette's love, loyalty and tolerance know no limit, and her example made me a better person. Being around the house together all day long required that we observed a rule of silence until dinnertime, helping assure we'd have things to talk about. Apparently it worked, because we never got bored with each other. I'm also saying goodbye for now to my only living child, Kathleen. No father could have a better kid, or be more proud of her! She's loving, smart, independent, funny, accomplished, and attractive. She will continue to do very well in life.
What I Learned About God's Mercy In 2008 we lost our son Mike, 42, to callous medical malpractice. None of us ever got over the tragedy, and the waste of such a brilliant and funny person. He was robbed of the chance to see his beloved son - the most important person in his life - grow into manhood. In 2010 we lost Ann, our youngest daughter. This precious, indomitable girl was killed while she sped in her police cruiser in an heroic effort to stop a kidnapper. Gone before her 25th birthday, intelligent, caring, funny, everyone's friend, Ann never had a chance for marriage, children, her own home or all the other things she deserved. I refused to accept gracefully or stoically the needless loss in their prime of two of my 3 children.
In Closing My daughter and my 3 grandsons - Adam, Jordan, and Zachary - will carry on the family traditions of fairness, service to others, and trying to make people laugh. I wish each of them success and happiness. My best friends were my wife, Nonette, my children, Mindy Balgrosky of Manhattan Beach, CA, and Foolio and Rupert, our parrots. The other creatures who enriched my days were my canines (in chronological order) Sandy, Pat, Jonesie, Princess, Peugeot, Fluffy-Duffy, Rommel, Robert, Puppy, Cosette; and our felines, Liebchen, Bunny, Muffin, Dirt, Percy and KC. And a terrific hamster named Mousie-man. We had a rabbit once, too, named Natasha, but I didn't like her.
Last Words To everyone who loved me - thank you. You gave much more than you received. To God - I hope you can find a few minutes to talk with me, because you got some 'splaining to do.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to The 100 Club, Inc. 5555 San Felipe St Ste 520, Houston TX 77056-2733.