Charles O'Donnell Jr.

Charles O'Donnell Jr. VIRGINIA BEACH - Col. Charles F. "Bud" O'Donnell Jr., peacefully passed away on Dec. 3, 2010, in his home with family in attendance. He was born in the Bronx, N.Y., Jan. 21, 1917. Bud is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 71 years, Christine; his children, Lt. Cmdr. Charles F. O'Donnell III, Helen-Alice Greene and Thomas J. O'Donnell; grandchildren, Jacqueline Earley, Lisa Greene, Maj. Charles F. O'Donnell IV, Brian J. Greene, Dustin B. O'Donnell, Maureen O'Donnell, Katie O. Glaser and Patrick O'Donnell; great-grandchildren, Michaela, Charles V, Hudson, Chelsea, Quincy, Caden, Barrett and Bennett. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Florence O'Donnell; a brother, Eugene; and sisters, Ruth and Rose. Bud began his Army career at Camp Pendleton, Va., and received his Coast Artillery second lieutenant commission from Fort Monroe. He remained at Fort Monroe firing the big guns at Nazi submarines around Hampton Roads. He commanded an anti-aircraft gun battery in Hawaii, trained troops in Iceland and spent some time in the Pacific during World War II. After World War II, he served on Gen. MacArthur's staff in Japan, helping Japanese businessmen. In 1951, O'Donnell went to the Korean War and served as battalion executive officer, AAA Gun Battalion. After Korea, Bud served at West Point, N.Y., as a tactical officer supporting the corps of cadets at Camp Natural Bridge for cadet summer training. His was next assigned as battalion commander, Nike Hercules Air Defense, New City, N.Y. (l962-3). While at West Point and New City, he earned his bachelor's degree from University of Maryland, College Park. After earning his master's in Journalism from University of Wisconsin- Madison, he became editor, Stars and Stripes, Asia in Japan. General Westmoreland recruited Col. O'Donnell to serve on his MACV staff in Saigon in l968 for logistic support to U.S. Army Vietnam. During that time, he met his sons, Skip and Tom at Vung Tau, Vietnam for a brief reunion. After six months, he became the 593rd group support commander in Quinhon, Vietnam providing logistical support to U.S. Army units in the Central South Vietnam area. In between his combat assignments, Col. O'Donnell had several tours at the Pentagon and PACOM staff and the Army-Air Force exchange system. Col. O'Donnell retired from the U.S. Army in 1973 and moved to Virginia Beach with his wife, Chris. They started one of the first "For Sale by Owner" real estate service in Virginia Beach in 1975. Bud O'Donnell had worked as a volunteer at Sentara Virginia Beach Hospital for many years. He had been a member of the Beachcomber Kiwanis, Irish Club and the Knights of Columbus, Father Habets Council, 4th degree & Pope Leo VIII Council, Virginia Beach. A memorial service will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church on Friday, Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. with a visitation 10 a.m. and a reception at the church after services. At a later date, Bud will be interred in Arlington Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to support Church of the Holy Family, Columbarium, uso.org/donate or Army Emergency Relief Fund. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.