1934
James
2011
James L. McDonnell
September 5, 1934 — April 3, 2011
Services will be held Thursday, 11:00am at Davis-Becker Funeral Home, Boardman for James Lee McDonnell, 76. He passed away Sunday evening at St. Elizabeth Medical Center -Boardman Campus.
Mr. McDonnell was born Sept. 5, 1934 in Youngstown, a son of Lester and Gertrude Huffman McDonnell. He graduated from Boardman High School in 1952 and from Kent State University School of Business in 1956. In 1956 until 1975 he worked for Ford Motor Company in Cleveland as a Car Merchandising Manager, Business Management Manager and Dealer Placement Manager for Ohio and Western PA.
He owned McDonnell Automotive Associates from 1976 until his death. He brokered the sale and purchases of most of the auto dealerships in the Tri County area over the last 30 years.
Jim was baptized in the Trinity Methodist Church and served as an usher and member of their Board. In 1980 he became a member of Boardman United Methodist Church.
He was a 50 year member of Youngstown Lodge F&AM 615 and the Wick Masonic Lodge.
Jim had over 150 trips to Colonial Williamsburg and was a contributing member of their W.R. Goodwin Society and was a long time historian on Colonial Williamsburg and had written a number of papers thereon.
He was considered the premier historian on the Automobile Thrill Show in America and worked in promotion for the Jimmie Lynch Death Dodgers while in college.
He was a collector of Classic Thunderbirds and was a member of the Classic T-Bird Club, The Lincoln Club, and the Lincoln Zephyrs Club and attended AACA Hershey Car Shows every year since 1969.
Jim enjoyed listening to Polka music.
He was married to Nancy Knuth McDonnell for over 40 years until her death, Jan. 31, 2007.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Hallas McDonnell, who was his childhood sweetheart.
And a sister in law Norma (Dennis) Lyden and a niece, Jennifer Lyden and nephew, Dan Lyden.
Preceding him in death besides his parents and 1st wife is a sister Nadine Rae McDonnell.
Friends may call Wednesday from 5-8pm at the funeral home, and 1 hour prior to the services on Thursday.
Mr. McDonnell was born Sept. 5, 1934 in Youngstown, a son of Lester and Gertrude Huffman McDonnell. He graduated from Boardman High School in 1952 and from Kent State University School of Business in 1956. In 1956 until 1975 he worked for Ford Motor Company in Cleveland as a Car Merchandising Manager, Business Management Manager and Dealer Placement Manager for Ohio and Western PA.
He owned McDonnell Automotive Associates from 1976 until his death. He brokered the sale and purchases of most of the auto dealerships in the Tri County area over the last 30 years.
Jim was baptized in the Trinity Methodist Church and served as an usher and member of their Board. In 1980 he became a member of Boardman United Methodist Church.
He was a 50 year member of Youngstown Lodge F&AM 615 and the Wick Masonic Lodge.
Jim had over 150 trips to Colonial Williamsburg and was a contributing member of their W.R. Goodwin Society and was a long time historian on Colonial Williamsburg and had written a number of papers thereon.
He was considered the premier historian on the Automobile Thrill Show in America and worked in promotion for the Jimmie Lynch Death Dodgers while in college.
He was a collector of Classic Thunderbirds and was a member of the Classic T-Bird Club, The Lincoln Club, and the Lincoln Zephyrs Club and attended AACA Hershey Car Shows every year since 1969.
Jim enjoyed listening to Polka music.
He was married to Nancy Knuth McDonnell for over 40 years until her death, Jan. 31, 2007.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Hallas McDonnell, who was his childhood sweetheart.
And a sister in law Norma (Dennis) Lyden and a niece, Jennifer Lyden and nephew, Dan Lyden.
Preceding him in death besides his parents and 1st wife is a sister Nadine Rae McDonnell.
Friends may call Wednesday from 5-8pm at the funeral home, and 1 hour prior to the services on Thursday.
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