Obituaries

Michael Lynn O'Donell

Photo of Michael Lynn O'Donell
Michael Lynn O'Donell, age 68, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. He was born on March 10, 1949, in Searcy, Ark. He is survived by his sister, Dr. Alice Anne O'Donell of Galveston, Texas and many loving cousins and friends, including his beloved dachshund, "Mona". He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ofelia O'Donell. Michael was a Methodist, attended Griffithville High School, University of Central Arkansas an Arkansas State University. In 1985 he moved to Houston, Texas, where he studied interior design at the University of Houston. In the late 80's, he followed his passion for flowers and native plants by pursing his career in small garden landscape design. He established his own company, The Environment. His Houston home in the Boulevard Oaks neighborhood became a show place for small plot tropical and native plant gardening. He collected unwanted plants from ditches, gutters, and alleys and gave them a home. He had an eye for walking through local nurseries and spotting unique plants. Ferns and white azaleas found their place alongside native flowers in non-traditionally designed flower gardens. At an early age, he began bringing home baby squirrels that he rescued from his many adventures in the woods. Some lived for several months in his apartment in small boxes. He was a longtime volunteer at the Museum of Fine Arts and the Cockrell Butterfly Center. Tuesdays were his "bug" days and Thursdays were when he got to release the butterflies. Michael was a kind, gentle man who shared his talent and love of flowers and plants with friends and neighbors. He will be missed by all who knew him and has now found peace in another famous Garden. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2017, at eleven o'clock in the morning, at Bradshaw Carter Memorial and Funeral Services, 1734 W. Alabama in Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Griffithville United Methodist Church in Griffithville, Ark., Legacy Community Healthcare in Houston (www.legacycommunityhealth.org), or All Texas Dachshund Rescue (www.atdr.org).

Published April 16, 2017

Upcoming Events