Timothy J. McDonnell

On Thursday, August 2nd, 2018, Timothy “Duke” McDonnell (Tim), loving husband and father of two, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by close friends and family. Tim was born in Munich, Germany to Colonel Robert Edward McDonnell and Mary Rebecca (Dougherty) McDonnell on September 27th, 1951. Being in a military family, Tim was on the move for much of his early childhood, staying briefly in cities across Europe and America before finally landing in Denver, Colorado in 1959. Tim began his education at Christ the King Elementary, the school where he would meet the first of his many lifelong friends. He would graduate from Mullen High School in 1969, and from Metro State College in 1974, leaving with a degree in Aviation Science and Meteorology. Soon after, Tim began his career in aviation, first as a flight instructor and medivac pilot for Star Aviation, and then as a pilot for Rocky Mountain Airways. He was hired by Trans World Airways in 1979, where would remain a loyal pilot until 2016. Only furloughed once, he worked briefly for the Gulf Oil Corporation in Houston, Texas. In 2016 Tim retired from American Airlines, ending a career which had spanned over 37 years. Even though his true love would always be flying, Tim was also passionate for the outdoors. He was an avid skiier, golfer, and the occasional fisherman.

Tim is survived by his devoted wife of 26 years, Gail, his two beloved daughters, Shaunessy and Kaleigh, his wonderful step-mother Betty, his favorite brother Bob (Kris), numerous nieces and nephews, and more friends than can be mentioned here. He is predeceased by his mother Mary McDonnell, his father Robert McDonnell, and his sister Maureen McDonnell-King.

A funeral service will be held at Ava Maria Catholic Church in Parker, Colorado on August 13th, 2018 at 11 am. A Rosary will be held before, starting at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tim’s honor to the Cancer Society of America or any Catholic charity.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Timothy J. McDonnell, please visit our floral store.