James J. Donovan Jr.

Birth: April 15, 1930 | Died: September 30, 2022

On Friday, September 30, 2022, James Joseph Donovan, Jr., loving husband and father of four children, passed away in Placentia, CA at the age of 92. Jim was born on April 15, 1930, in Sapulpa, OK to James and Maree Donovan. He was the oldest child, growing up in Northeast Oklahoma with his sister, Rebecca, and brother, John, who predeceased him. He attended Shidler High School and earned his bachelor's degrees in Mechanical Engineering (Oklahoma State) and Electrical Engineering (University of Houston). He also obtained a master's degree in Systems Engineering (Cal State Fullerton). Jim was a member of Army ROTC at Oklahoma State and served as a U.S. Army Ordinance Officer in Korea (1953-1955). He was also a member of Alpha Tau Omega America's Leadership Development Fraternity. Jim moved to Houston, TX in 1955 where he worked at Shell Oil and Brown and Root. On October 11, 1958, Jim married Mary, the love of his life, at Gate of Heaven Catholic Church in South Boston. They raised two sons, James (Tracy) and Patrick (Teresa) and two daughters, Sheilah Lee (Kee) and Meghan Baillargeon (Dan) in Anaheim, CA. He retired in 1989 after working for Boeing (previously North American Rockwell) for 29 years. Jim was a Eucharistic Minister for many years at St. Justin Martyr Church and enjoyed exercising on his bicycle every day. Family and friends enjoyed his delicious BBQ ribs and homemade apple sauce. Jim is survived by his children Jim, Pat, Sheilah, and Meghan, and seven grandchildren. On November 18, 2022, a mass will be held at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church (10:00 a.m.) followed by a burial service at Riverside Veterans Cemetery (1:30 p.m.). In lieu of flowers, the Donovan family asks you to consider donating to the OC Alzheimer's Association (in honor of James and Mary).