Patrick Dennis O'Donnell

Patrick Dennis O’Donnell was born in Lansing, MI on December 19, 1947. He was the son of Beatrice Donahue O’Donnell and William Maurice O’Donnell. Pat was the third of six children and grew up in the company of his grandfathers and his parents and siblings. He lived on Beale Street, Vine Street and eventually Post Oak Drive in his younger years, and several addresses throughout his adult years, but always a lifelong resident of Lansing.

Pat attended Resurrection School and Eastern High School where he dropped out in the ninth grade, but later achieved a GED in the United States Army. Pat served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1968, including 13 months in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966 where he was a door gunner in a helicopter unit. He obtained the rank of sergeant and finished out his years in the service as a drill instructor at Fort Bliss Texas.

Pat worked at many different jobs but not unlike so many of his fellow Vietnam Veterans, found it difficult to stay in one job for very long. Pat was diagnosed with PTSD in the late 1980’s and rated 100% disabled by the Veterans Administration in the early 1990’s.

Pat enjoyed coffee, reading and conversation with friends at the counters of the Don’s Windmill restaurants and The Korner Kitchen and for several years that was a sure bet as a place to find him when he wasn’t home.

Pat’s greatest love was his grandson Alexander Jared Egleston. He adored his grandson and loved spending time with him until an aortic aneurysm five years ago left him unable to drive. He took special pride in watching anything Alex did through school performance videos. Pat adored his nieces Jessie and Chelsea, his nephew Shawn and his great nieces Courtney and Carley and loved playing with them when they were young.

Pat had many good friends through the years and was very appreciative of their companionship and support including Emily Ridenour, Terry Coy, Bob Lonergan, Bob Johnson, Jim Deluca, Mickey MacNamera, Paul Thom, Terry Riley and many others.

Pat is survived by his grandson Alexander Egleston, daughter and son-in-law Colleen and Steve Egleston, brothers Shawn (Jill) O’Donnell, Kevin O’Donnell, Mike (Laurie) O’Donnell and sister Bridget O’Donnell. Nieces Chelsea (Steve) Phillips, Jessica O’Donnell, nephews Shawn O’Donnell, Mark (Angela) O’Donnell, Brian O’Donnell and Dennis O’Donnell. Several great nieces and nephews, Courtney and Carley O’Donnell, Ellie, Aubrea and Timothy Phillips, Raven Ho, Luna and Aurora LaHaie. He is also survived by an uncle Joseph (Caroline) Donahue, former sister-in-law Gina O’Donnell and many, many cousins. Pat also leaves behind his girlfriend of over 30 years Laurie Bozung.

Pat was preceded in death by his grandparents Donahue and O’Donnell, his parents William and Beatrice O’Donnell and his brother Timothy O’Donnell, who is enjoying the finest scotch, sharing a smoke and showing Pat where all the hot chicks hang out in Heaven.

Please join the family in remembering Pat on Friday, November 30th from 1-4 p.m. at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes Lansing Chapel, 900 E. Michigan Ave, and feel free to share your stories and memories of Pat.