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Reverend Donald D. O'Leary
Born: 5/15/1928
Died: 1/24/2021
Age: 92
Community: Flint, MI
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Reverend Donald D. O’Leary went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 24, 2021.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held later this year.
Born on May 15, 1928 to the late Alfred James and Ella May O’Leary, Don grew up in Flint, Michigan and graduated from Flint Central High School in 1946. Upon graduation, he joined the US Marine Corp where he served just under a year before being discharged at the end of WWII. Don married his first wife, the late Velnora Bauser, in 1948 and they had four children together. He later married Phyllis (Varner) Ockert - and her five children - in 1968 and they were inseparable for the next fifty years.
Anyone who knew Don knew that he had two passions in his life – firefighting and ministry. He spent his entire career serving in both areas. Don began preaching at age 17 and was ordained by the Michigan General Assembly of the Church of God (Anderson) in 1954. He was a bi-vocational pastor, serving in churches that could not otherwise afford a pastor. When he “retired” in 1990 he had over 43 years in ministry, much of that time spent in the Flint area, as well as in Greenville, Michigan, and Grand Bend, Ontario. Of course, he continued to pastor other churches even as he was retired. While pastoring, Don worked at the Flint Fire Dept for 18 years, served as chaplain of the Greenville Fire Dept for 14 years, and finished his fire career as chaplain for the Mt. Morris Township Fire Dept.
Don had a gift for bringing joy to everyone he met. He was a talented musician and an engaging evangelist with a wonderful sense of humor. Whether he was using chalk art to illustrate his sermons, leading a singspiration at Campmeeting, or using puppets to tell kids about Jesus, Don knew how to entertain. Many remember his magic acts, traveling puppet ministry, and especially his ventriloquist dummy, Willie. He also used his magic and puppets to serve the fire community, performing hundreds of fire prevention programs for kids and families.
He made many friends during his ministry and firefighting career and he remembered personal stories about each of their lives. He loved his family and had nicknames for nearly everyone. His quick wit will be missed by all who knew him. Don spent his free time tinkering with his collection of firetrucks, listening to old sermons on tape, and playing hymns on his organ.
Don was preceded in death by her parents, his siblings Retta Close, Kenneth, John, and Dale O’Leary, his wife Phyllis O’Leary, his daughter, Marcia Hill, and granddaughter Amber Parddington.
Don is survived by his children, James (Karen) O’Leary, Brian (Wanda) O’Leary, Jeff (Janet) O’Leary, Nancy (Reginald) Beecher, Michael (Jean) Ockert, John (Mary Jane) Ockert, and Joanne (Donald) Hendrick, twenty-five grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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1/27/2021 |
| Time: |
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| NONE |
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| Funeral Service |
| No Service |
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