Funeral services for (Retired Capt.) Dr. Jerry Michael O'Donnell 81 of Copperas Cove, Texas will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Christian House of Prayer in Copperas Cove, Texas. Burial with full military honors will follow the service at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 2, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas.

Services can be viewed via Zoom: Meeting ID - 4778772534    Passcode - Odonell

Or by clicking the link below: Passcode - Odonell
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4778772534?pwd=bzlFVEtxNXFMWGtTOUdadkFSWEpNdz09#success
**Link will not be active until 15 minutes before the service**

Dr. O'Donnell passed away September 21, 2023, in Killeen, Texas. He was born February 24, 1942, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Retired Army Captain Dr. Jerry Michael O'Donnell, age 81, entered into the Kingdom of Heaven on September 21 in Killeen, Texas after a short battle with cancer. Jerry was the devoted husband of the former Sherry Lynn Bennett, loving father of Jheri Lynn, Jeffery, and Jennifer; grandfather of Rhyan, Ashlyn, Brianna, Morgan, and Brady, and godfather to James Jones IV.  He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Jerry was born on February 24, 1942, to Charles and Elna "Sally" O'Donnell in Fort Worth, Texas, the fourth of seven children.  After leaving high school at age 17, he joined the Army as a Private with his first overseas duty station in Panama, receiving a direct commission in 1969, and then retiring in 1979 at Fort Hood.

Jerry met Sherry while in high school and it was a match truly made in heaven.  Before returning to Panama, Jerry proposed and let his soon to be wife know that she had a week to marry and join him in Panama. They married on January 7, 1963, in Dallas, Texas and went on to have three children and five grandchildren.

The family had the opportunity, through 20 years in the military, to also live in Nepal, Japan, Virginia, Oklahoma, Nebraska, California, and Texas.  While stationed in Japan, Jerry gave his heart to Christ and dedicated his life to the Lord's service.

After retiring from the military at age 37, Jerry had several successful careers as a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice, a correctional psychologist for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, a pastor of several Protestant churches, a staff member of Christian House of Prayer, and as co-founder of Montessori Schools of Central Texas, which he and Sherry founded 41 years ago.

Early in life, our father learned the importance of hard work and he instilled that same work ethic in us.  He was a man of strong faith and taught us the importance of family, hard work, and doing what is right.  He truly valued education and endeavored to earn his GED while in the Army and then went on to earn two Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Ministry, Master of Arts, Master of Criminal Justice, Master of Science, and two Bachelor of Science degrees.

Our father was quick to give God the glory for all that He had done is his life. Without the mercy of God, he stated that his life would have been over many years ago.  Our dad was a true role model who we will always look up to.

He leaves to rejoice in his memory: his wife of 60 years, Sherry; daughter, Dr. Jheri-Lynn McSwain and husband, Jimmy of Joaquin; son, Jeffery O'Donnell and wife, Christina of Belton; daughter, Jennifer Watson and husband, Jason of Temple.  Grandchildren:  Rhyan Aljoe and wife, Tasha of Centennial, Colorado; Ashlyn Aljoe of Lubbock; Brianna O'Donnell of Dallas; Morgan O'Donnell of College Station; and Brady Watson of Temple.

His memory will be cherished by his sisters, Carol Blakely of Denton and Cokie Eads and husband, Sydney of Flower Mound, many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Charles O'Donnell, mother, Elna "Sally" O'Donnell, brothers, Pat O'Donnell, Shane O'Donnell and Tim O'Donnell, and sister, Raylene Smith.