Jack O’Donnell

To the Jack O´Donnell family

Jack was a gift from God. A unicorn in many respects.He was caring , powerful and generous. He spent a lifetime providing not only for his family but for so many others including me. I am so thankful for the impact he had on my professional career but also the impact he had on me personally. He saw something in me from the very beginning some forty years ago. He challenged me to be a leader. He took the time to develop me into the person he constantly told me that I could be. I was told unsolicited by others in the firm and in the community that no matter how hard I worked I could not become a partner in Indiana. Game On! We won! He was so proud of my accomplishments. He directed me into the partnership of Arthur Andersen in 1991 but unfortunately met the firms retirement age one year later. A decade later he was the first person I called when I was promoted to managing partner of the Indianapolis office. I thanked him for having unyielding confidence in me and I told him my success in the firm and life would not have been possible with out him. Typical Jack he redirected the basis of my success to my empathy for others, hard work and family. It was a privilege to be considered a member of his extended family. I along with my wife and daughters loved Jack and every chance we got we told him so. We are extremely saddened by his passing and will very much miss him but the memories of Jack and his beloved wife Pat are etched in our hearts and they will never be forgotten. We salute the life they lived,the example they set, their many accomplishments and their legacies. I believe God will provide us the strength and comfort we need to heal the heart ache and pain we are experiencing.
Even as we mourn Jack´s passing I´m confident that he would want us to keep moving forward and most of all continue to look out for each other .
Jack fought the good fight,
After 92 plus years, Jack finished the race
And through it all Jack remained faithful.
Rest in peace my friend
The work you´ve done speaks for you.

Love Always,
Derrick Burks

Mr. O´Donnell played an integral role in our dads life and career. There´s few work stories that don´t include Mr. O´Donnell or that don´t revert back to his impact on my dad. He was a force that fiercely believed and invested in my dad both professionally and personally. My sisters and I are blessed that his involvement in my dads life went beyond Arthur Andersen because he meant a great deal to us all. He wasn´t "like"family to us, he was family.

We´ve always cherished the trips to San Francisco to visit the O´Donnell family. I´m especially grateful for the quality time spent with Mr. O´Donnell when he stayed with us for my sisters wedding in 2016. We talked sports which had to include the warriors. He´d remind me that it was important to be able to identify a bandwagon warriors fan from a true supporter. He was the latter of course. I was amazed by his dedication to his workout regiment (I couldn´t get behind his love for tomato juice despite his efforts). For the most part, he and my dad just spent time reminiscing, laughing, and catching each other up on all things family. It wasn´t a long enough visit but it was special.


To the O´Donnell family, our thoughts and prayers are with you as you find healing through the Lord´s love. May He watch over you and comfort you always.

Mr. O´Donnell played an integral role in our dads life and career. There´s few work stories that don´t include Mr. O´Donell or that don´t revert back to his impact on my dad. He was a force that fiercely believed and invested in my dad both professionally and personally. My sisters and I are blessed that his involvement in my dads life went beyond Arthur Andersen because he meant a great deal to us all. He wasn´t "like"family to us, he was family.

We´ve always cherished the trips to San Francisco to visit the O´Donnell family. I´m especially grateful for the quality time spent with Mr. O´Donnell when he stayed with us for my sisters wedding in 2016. We talked sports which had to include the warriors. He´d remind me that it was important to be able to identify a bandwagon warriors fan from a true supporter. He was the latter of course. I was amazed by his dedication to his workout regiment (I couldn´t get behind his love for tomato juice despite his efforts). For the most part, he and my dad just spent time reminiscing, laughing, and catching each other up on all things family. It wasn´t a long enough visit but it was special.


To the O´Donnell family, our thoughts and prayers are with you as you find healing through the Lord´s love. May He watch over you and comfort you always.

Robyn and I were blessed to see Jack this past August. HIs impact on me and so many others at Andersen was incalculable. During our lunch, I read to him the following passage from my book, Eyes of the Father, "Jack arrived in Indianapolis office from Oakland in 1983, ostensibly to either shut down a poorly performing office or make it profitable. Years later, the Indianapolis office would become one of the most profitable and highly regarded offices in the firm...Jack's fingerprints were all over the office. He set the tone and led by example. Jack was driven, almost fanatical in his disciplined approach to serving clients, developing his people, and supporting them. He never shied from a difficult discussion or conversation. His approach was the outgrowth of his competitive upbringing as a basketball player at Marquette University. At his core, Jack was a teacher. He invested in people and their careers and cared about their lives outside of work. He placed a high value on family. His leadership and example served as a testament to me and many others for the years to come."

Jack was one of my very closest friends ... a true blessing in my life. I will always be grateful for his friendship, mentorship, and brotherly love. He really made a positive difference to many during this life - as did Pat.
Psalm 112:5 described him perfectly...."Good will come to him who is generous and conducts his affairs with justice."
Rest in peace, my friend.

As a young member of the Indianapolis office in the mid-80s, Jack was a larger-than-life figure to me and my peers. His candor and humor were, and are, the stuff of legends.

The Burks family send our deepest sympathies and condolences to the O´Donnell family. Jack´s guidance and support through out Derrick´s career will always be appreciated . Thank you !

To the family of Jack O´Donnell - as you go through this very difficult time, we will keep you in prayer. Know that God will give you the strength and faith to accept His will.

The Burks Family