Robert O'Donnell

Robert T. O’Donnell, (Bob -age 50), passed away peacefully December 15, 2019 with his wife by his side.

Bob, also known as “Bobcat” was born July 11th, 1969 in Harrisburg, PA and later moved to Fairmont, WV where he grew up. He attended the University of Kentucky from 1987-1990 and was a member of the SAE Fraternity.  His goal of graduating from architecture school however fell short after a winter ski sabbatical to Jackson Hole with his college roommates in 1990, became permanent.

From that point on, his grand entrance into the Jackson community was introduced.  He spent many winters skiing ‘the Village’ and ‘Ghee daily in the 90’s. He bartended at the Knotty Pine (Victor, ID), Spirits of the West, Camp Creek Inn and Horse Creek Station through the 90’s until he changed things up and entered the construction industry. Years with Ram Construction, RSC Inc (Bob Strohmenger) and On-Site Management (OSM) seasoned him until he went out on his own in 2002, starting up his own construction company “Bobcat Builders”.

He spent the next 17 years working with his amazing clients and friends, Kevin & Jane Getz on Belle Cose store remodels as well as many home remodels. He was an all-around handyman for many stores on the Town Square as well. Kevin & Jane’s love and support for Bob will never be forgotten.

An avid lover of sports, Bob was a loyal Pittsburg Steeler, Penguins and Pirates fan. He enjoyed going to Steelers games as a kid with his dad and meeting many legends.  He participated in many great local, sports pastimes including playing on Jackson Rec League teams in flag football, basketball, broomball and golf tournaments. He also played for many years on the Horse Creek Station men’s softball league team with “the boys”.

He also flipped burgers for many years at the World Championship Hill Climb for the Jackson Hole Elk’s Lodge and was proud of his past awards that he won with his 3-man crew at the Jackson Ice Off Fishing Derby, which they participated in for 10+ years.

Bob met his wife and “partner in crime”, Laura, in 2001 through mutual friends and they purchased their home in Star Valley Ranch WY in 2004. They married on Sept. 8, 2001 at the Broken Arrow Ranch in Jackson and on Jan 19th 2010 they welcomed their daughter Josey Noelle into their world.

 From that moment, his girls became his #1 priority in life. He enjoyed being the “best dad evvverrr” and was always involved with his daughter. Participating in cardboard derby box building/racing, teaching her how to fish, ski, ride dirt bikes & four wheelers, snowmobile as well as piloting the family boat during lake outings. He loved that he was also referred to as “Clark Griswold” as he always wanted to make sure that his family enjoyed the best of everything in their adventures.

 Bob’s continuous smile and “Happy Go Lucky” personality created so many friendships. He would stop everything to give you the shirt of his back if you needed and could draw a crowd of strangers into a high-fiving frenzy at any black jack table.

He leaves behind his wife Laura, daughter Josey, brother Patrick O’Donnell (Charlene) and his much loved Aunt Jean & Uncle Mike Edwards, and cousins.

There is no doubt that when Bob was welcomed at the Pearly Gates with open arms, he was knocked down by his dog, Steeler, smacked across the back of his head by his parent Arlene and Thomas O’Donnell and greeted by old friends with an ice-cold Budweiser.

We look forward to seeing you at his Celebration of Life to be held this summer on his birthday of July 11, 2020 where more love, laughter and stories can be shared. More information to come in the months ahead.  “Work Hard, Play Harder”…that was his motto.  We’ll Miss Him.