James P. McDonnell

James P. McDonnell of Oakbrook Terrace; beloved husband for 60 years of the late Joanne (nee Morgan), passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the age of 93. A kind, smart, funny and loving man he was cherished by his 4 children, Tricia Boyd (Bill), Morgan McDonnell (predeceased Leslie), Matthew McDonnell (Kelly), Michele VanDusen (Ross); and 12 Grandchildren: Nichole Boyd, Jocelyn Nelson (Steve), Rachel Aguirre (Nick), Phillip VanDusen, Sean Boyd, Dominic McDonnell, Patrick VanDusen (Reayana), Michael VanDusen, Marshall McDonnell, Anthony VanDusen (Hayleigh), Carson McDonnell, Connor McDonnell and 3 Great Grandchildren; Miyah Amor VanDusen, Maverick Nelson and Gracie Aguirre; cherished son of the late Martin and Marion McDonnell (nee Hester) and brother of the late Don McDonnell.

A native of Chicago, Jim was one of the first members of the Chicago Cavalier Drum & Bugle Corps (now Park Ridge) formed from Boy Scout Troop 111 in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood in 1948.

Jim attended DePaul Academy in 1947 and was soon invited to attend Fournier Institute of Technology in Lemont, IL graduating in 1954 with an electrical engineering degree. He began his career at Cook Research Laboratories with the Radar Section as an engineer assigned to White Sands Missile Base in New Mexico. In 1958 he moved to the Military Division of Admiral Corporation in Chicago as project engineer for portable radar systems for the Marines. After meeting the love of his life, Joanne, in 1960, they married looking to start a family. Jim moved out of military work and joined Argonne National Laboratory in the Partial Accelerator Division becoming one of three Chiefs of Operation supporting crews operating 24/7. A major change in career occurred in 1967 when he joined Carlson Electronic Sales. After 14 successful years in sales, Jim, with two partners started KMA Sales in 1981, operating in Illinois and Wisconsin, repping electronic components, specializing in very high-tech integrated circuits. The business developed nicely ending with Jim’s retirement in 1999.

A resident of Oakbrook Terrace since 1960, Jim was involved in many activities and organizations including City Clerk, Alderman, Chairman of Zoning Board, Head of the board to raise funds to build a new parish, President of Montini Parents Club, active in the Irish Children’s Fund. Jim and Joanne were blessed to spend retirement traveling and spending time in various vacation homes in Cabo San Lucas, Indiana and Florida while visiting and donating to many casinos around the Country. They met many people while traveling and formed long-term friendships. Their greatest love was spending time with family. Being their grandkids’ biggest fans, Jim and Joanne attended any music, sports, robotics or other events they could. Known for his repetitive Dad jokes, Jim loved to laugh and spend time fishing, golfing, collecting stamps, doing puzzles, watching the Bears, and eat Portillo’s chocolate cake.

A celebration will be planned following the holidays honoring the life and legacy of Jim.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Jim’s memory by making a donation to the Cavalier Drum & Bugle Corps (www.cavaliers.org) or by donating a puzzle to the Villa Park Library, a place he frequented.