After graduating from Mason High School, John earned his Bachelor of Arts at Trinity University in San Antonio. He taught English in Ann Harbor, Michigan, where in the summers, he was a counselor at the renowned Interlachen Center for the Arts.

During that time John discovered the excitement of New York City, but he returned to the University of Texas to earn his master’s degree in Psychology. John went on to counseling in Houston Public schools and Community college for most of his career years.

An avid reader with a lifelong passion for learning, John’s interest in Psychology and Psychoanalysis culminated with his participation in the A.K Rice Institute. He studied Tibetan Buddhism and enjoyed the friendship of the Houston sangha community for many years.

In Austin, John met his wife of 52 years, Marie- Françoise Maître O’Donnell, from Paris, France, who was visiting the USA as an au pair student with a Texan family residing in New-York City. John and Marie enjoyed travelling together with their son Christopher, on road trips from the Pacific coast to the to the Atlantic coast, and abroad to France, Switzerland, England, and Italy. John cherished the many holidays spent in nature at the O’Donnell’s family ranch, taking long walks, eating gourmet meals, playing cards, croquet, and ping pong with the extended family.

John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Marie, son Christopher S. O’Donnell, partner Cynthia Nafegar, brother Jack C. O’Donnell and wife Beth, sister Joan Mc Farland of Austin, nephews Ryan McCleary and wife Tracy of Houston, Michael O’Donnell and niece Kathleen O’Donnell of Austin, great-nephew Christian Mc-Cleary, and great-niece Erin McCleary of Houston, and cousins in Mason. The family would like to thank Dr. Shilpan Shah of Methodist Hospital in Houston, Edwin Gomez team form Vantage Hospice Care, and the caring and loving staff of the Buckingham’s Skilled Nursing Facility in Houston where John spent the last three years of his life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

A graveside burial service will take place on Thursday, June 05, 2025, at 11:00 a.m, at Gooch Cemetery in Mason.

Online condolences may be sent to family at masonfuneralhome.net Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason Funeral Home.