SR0249 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0249 LRB098 11785 GRL 44870 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. James "Jim" O'Donnell of Woodstock; and

WHEREAS, James O'Donnell was born on May 29, 1939, in Monroe, Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, James O'Donnell was a graduate of the 1957 class at Joliet Township High School in Joliet; during high school, he was an award-winning concert and marching band member who proficiently played both clarinet and saxophone; he started singing very young and became a boy soprano; he was also an avid tennis player in junior and senior high and received a tennis scholarship to college; he was ranked 8th in the Midwest for boys' tennis; and

WHEREAS, James O'Donnell served his country with pride as a member of the United States Navy for 4 years and the Naval Reserves for 6 years; during his time in the service, he served as a dentist at Moffett Field in Mountain View, California and attained the rank of lieutenant commander; and

WHEREAS, James O'Donnell graduated from dental school at Loyola University in Chicago in 1964; he subsequently practiced dentistry for over 40 years; in the 1990s, he and his wife bought a lake home in Wisconsin, where he continued to practice dentistry as an associate until his retirement; and

WHEREAS, James O'Donnell enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, traveling, good food, sports, and debating about current events, politics, and life in general; and

WHEREAS, James O'Donnell was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Irene O'Donnell; and

WHEREAS, James O'Donnell is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda Peters O'Donnell; his daughter, Deborah O'Donnell Willyard; his son, James M. O'Donnell Jr.; his granddaughters, Heather and Jennifer Willyard; his grandson, Andrew O'Donnell; his great-granddaughter, Malia Lynn Willyard; his sister, Judith O'Donnell Schulze; his brother, Jon O'Donnell; and his many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Dr. James "Jim" O'Donnell; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of James O'Donnell as an expression of our sympathy.