Thomas Dinan O'Donnell

Thomas Dinan O'Donnell, age 87, of Griffin, Georgia, passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at his home.

Tom was born on March 23, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, to Edward and Dorothy (Dinan) O'Donnell. In 1957, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving on the USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier until 1960. After his military service, he attended Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and married Linda Kaiser in 1961. At the age of 22, Tom joined the U.S. Border Patrol, becoming one of the youngest agents ever hired. His career began in Laredo, Texas, and he later transferred to Fresno, California, where he worked as an agent until 1971. From there, he moved to San Ysidro, California, where he served as an inspector until 1974. In 1974, Tom's career took him to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he worked as a U.S. Immigration Investigator until 1978. He then became Deputy Regional Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol's Eastern Division in Burlington, Vermont, before being promoted to Port Director in San Luis, Arizona, in 1981. In 1983, Tom was selected to oversee the opening of the new Otay Mesa Port of Entry. He served as director of both Otay Mesa and Temecula, California, ports until 1985. He was selected to work at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy, where he worked for the U.S. Immigration Service until 1990. During his time there, he undertook numerous assignments throughout Africa. Tom then returned to Kennesaw, Georgia, and retired from the Atlanta Immigration Office in 1993. Throughout his retirement, he continued to follow his passion for travel, exploring the world with his beloved wife, Linda.

Tom enjoyed spending time with his entire family and his pugs, eating breakfast with friends at the Corner Cafe, playing golf, and watching football. Tom's love of travel was so great that he instilled a sense of adventure in the rest of his family. He was always quick with a joke and enjoyed making people laugh. Tom was a champion for education, being an avid reader himself while also inspiring many others to improve themselves through education.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two of his children, Terence E. O'Donnell and Margaret E. O'Donnell Harris, and his brother, Patrick O'Donnell.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Linda O'Donnell of Griffin, GA, two of his children, Sean O'Donnell of Biloxi, MS and Mary Kathleen (Kathy) O'Donnell of Fairfax, VT, his grandchildren, Kirsten Danis (Neal) of Richmond, VT, James Harris (Karli) of Boston, MA, Zoey O'Donnell (Owen) of Richmond, VT, and Jaden O'Donnell of Biloxi, MS, siblings, Sr Gail O'Donnell SSH, Sara Edwards (Morgan), Timothy O'Donnell (Robin), Matthew O'Donnell (Betsy), Bridget Mudge (Randy), and Brian O'Donnell. Other family members include John Harris, Carmen O'Donnell, Judith O'Donnell, Madelyn Danis, the outlaws, and many nieces and nephews.

Please join the family and friends in honoring the life of Tom O'Donnell at a funeral mass and luncheon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 1323 Macarthur Dr, Griffin, GA 30224 on December 4th at 11:30am, followed by a burial at Honey Creek Woodlands at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, 2625 Hwy 212 SW, Conyers, GA 30094. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in honor of Tom to the Society of the Sacred Heart (SSH), PO Box 958047 St. Louis, MO 63195-8047.