Christopher Alan Donner

Christopher (Chris) Alan Donner, 58, beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on January 26, 2025 at his home in Hutto, TX. Chris was born on May 1, 1966, in St. Louis, MO, the son of Norman and Marie (Failoni) Donner (Austin, TX).

He graduated in 1984 from Mahtomedi High School (MN). Growing up in Minnesota, Chris enjoyed playing tennis, downhill skiing, sailing on White Bear Lake, riding dirt bikes, and repairing a multitude of electronics at his drafting table.

Chris moved in 1985 with his family to Austin, Texas, where he received his Associate’s Degree of Applied Science, Electronic Engineering Technology, and was a member of the National Vocational Technical Honor Society. Chris worked for nearly 20 years as a network test engineer.

Chris spent his free time building and driving race cars and was an avid NASCAR and Formula 1 fan, gifting each of his nieces and nephews with their first Texas Motor Speedway t-shirts. Chris had an incredible knowledge of all things electrical, mechanical, and technological, building and repairing computers, and had an immense library of movies and television shows.

Chris was also a talented chef and baker who enjoyed hosting meals for his very appreciative family members and friends and holding cooking lessons to pass on his favorite recipes, especially the perfect New York cheesecake. Chris also had a lifelong love of dogs, lovingly caring for the pets of friends and family and making sure his home was stocked with treats for all neighborhood dogs who happened by his Hutto home. In a nod to how important his family and friends were to him, Chris always had a slideshow on his computer rotating through pictures going back over 60 years.

Chris will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl Raymond and Della Lucille (Cook) Donner (St. Louis, MO); and Emilio and Jennie (DeBlasi) Failoni (St. Louis, MO). In addition to his parents, Norman and Marie, he is survived by his siblings, Kimberly (Kevin) O’Brien (Leawood, KS); Bryan (Anna Fabre) Donner (Rio Rancho, NM); and Leigh (Ron) Saunders (Chesterfield, VA); his nieces and nephews, William and Clare O’Brien; Shea and Ryan Saunders; and Alexander, Elida and Zachary Donner; and many other cousins, family and lifelong friends around the country.

A funeral mass will be held at Mary Queen of Peace in Webster Groves, MO.

Inurnment will be held at Resurrection Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Central Texas SPCA.