Robert Gene O'donnell

Robert ""Gene"" O'DonnellApril 4, 1921-January 1, 2010Robert ""Gene"" O'Donnell passed away on January 1, 2010 at Longmont United Hospital. He was 88 years old.Gene was born April 4, 1921 in Trumbull, Nebraska to Ray and Alma Faye (Warren) O'Donnell. He grew up on the family farm near Trumbull. He served in the U.S. Naval Air Corps as a Navigator during WWII. He attended the University of Nebraska before the war and returned to complete his B.S. degree in Agrlculture. In 1949 he married Jacqueline Haas in Lincoln, Nebraska. They moved to Syracuse, Nebraska where Gene was an assistant County Extension Agent. He later transferred to the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. In 1962 Gene took a promotion to head the KBR Soil and Water Conservation District in Ainsworth, Nebraska. He retired from the Soil Conservation Service in 1976 and relocated to Longmont, Colorado. Gene was an active member of the United Methodist Church serving in many capacities in each community in which he lived. He received the Silver Beaver Award for his many years of service to the Boy Scouts of America. Gene volunteered for the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery for 25 years. He completed fifty-nine successful years as an active member of Lions Club International.He enjoyed trailoring and traveling with family, golf, and many sports. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and two sisters. Survivors include his wife Jackie; son, Michael and his wife Cindy; son, Todd and his wife Cathy and one grandchild, Ryleigh Lynne O'Donnell; all of Longmont. He is survived by one sister, Ramona Barclay, of Savannah, Georgia.A Visitation (9:30AM) and Memorial service(10:00AM) are scheduled for Thursday, January 7, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church located at 11th and Kimbark St. in Longmont. A light lunch reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Memorial contributions may be made in Gene's name to the Longmont First United Methodist Church (Permanent Endowment Fund), 350 11th Ave., Longmont, Colorado, 80501.Cremation has been entrusted to Howe Mortuary, Longmont, CO.