Born November 25, 1946, in Independence, Iowa to Leonard Donnelly and Wilma Glenny Donnelly.
Graduated from Independence High School in 1965. Went on to attend Texas Western (UTEP) where he played football and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education and PE All Levels in 1973. He was a member of the SAE fraternity.
Married in June 1968 to his high school sweetheart Trudence (Trudy) Barger.
He was a teacher/coach at Riverside High School where he led the football and baseball programs to District Championships. He later continued his coaching/teaching career at Ysleta and El Paso High School before retiring from Austin High School with a Bi-District Football Championship. He was incredibly proud to have coached so many wonderful athletes and to have worked with numerous great coaches. He worked the Don Haskins basketball camps for 17 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and eldest son, Matthew Leonard Donnelly.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, his son Stephen (Denise), stepdaughter Ellah, and his grandson Noah William Matthew. Noah and Papa shared an incredibly strong bond. His greatest pride and deepest joy were his family. He is also survived by his brother Daniel Donnelly (Kathy) and numerous nieces and nephews.
His family takes comfort knowing he has reunited with his son, Matthew.
Outside of work he and his wife loved to travel. Whether in their 40-foot RV or cruising. He especially enjoyed his Baltic Sea cruise where he got to visit St. Petersburg, Russia.
Services will be conducted on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 1:30 pm at Martin Funeral Home West.
