THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 23, 1995 TAG: 9506230471
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
Owen Joseph Donley, a 30-year resident of Alexandria, died June 20, 1995, in Jackson, Tenn., during his recuperation from heart surgery.
Mr. Donley was born and raised in Elk Point, S.D. He was graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame. He attended law school at the University of Michigan, and received his law degree from the University of South Dakota.
Mr. Donley practiced law in Elk Point, and also served as the State's Attorney for Union County, S.D. He married Mary Carole Scott in 1954.
In January of 1963, Mr. Donley moved to Washington after his appointment as Chief of Staff to then newly elected Senator George S. McGovern (D-SD). He served in that position until 1971, when he joined Senator George McGovern's campaign for President of the United States. Mr. Donley also served on Senator McGovern's numerous election campaigns for the U.S. Senate.
In early 1973, Mr. Donley became the executive director of the South Dakota Development Group. He rejoined Senator McGovern's staff as legislative director and agriculture specialist in 1975. In 1980 Mr. Donley joined the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Agriculture until his retirement from government service in 1989.
Mr. Donley's first wife preceded him in death in 1982. He married Martha Anne Meek in 1992 and relocated to Virginia Beach, Va.
While residing in Alexandria, Mr. Donley was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community. He was also a parishioner at The Church of the Holy Apostles in Virginia Beach.
Mr. Donley is remembered by his wife, Anne Meek of Virginia Beach and his five children, Patricia Gail Donley of San Diego, Calif., Vice Mayor Kerry J. Donley of Alexandria, Kelly Donley French, Scott G. Donley, both of Alexandria, and Mary Shannon Reed of Palm Beach, Fla. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Church of the Holy Apostles Building Fund, 1598 Lynnhaven Parkway, Virginia Beach, Va. 23456.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB