John O'Donnell - Z-Hills local killed in accident

[tkhayes 348]

Sad to report that one of our local jumpers, John O'Donnell was killed last night while rollerblading near his home in Oldsmar/Clearwater area.
According to the news he was crossing a busy road/ntersection and was struck by an off-duty police officer, and died later in hospital - no charges are to be laid according to the story.

Blue Skies John - he was really a nice guy and up and coming videographer with lots of talent.

We are planning a memorial on Friday here at the DZ, no time set yet

TK

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

OMG! This is so terrible...he's been such a wonderful friend to me over the past 2+ years. I'm in shock.

_________________________________________

[meloo09 0]

God that is so aweful, John was a super nice guy. Blues John, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

What you do speaks so loud, I cannot hear what you say.

[PsychoBob 0]

This is horrible. John was a very nice person and a great skydiver/videographer. His MCR photo was published in this months issue of Parachutists. The skydiving community has lost a great friend and skydiver.

"I'm not a gynecologist but I will take a look at it"
RB #1295, Smokey Sister #1, HellFish #658, Dirty Sanchez #194, Muff Brothers #3834, POPS #9614, Orfun Foster-Parent?"

[TheAnvil 0]

This is horrible news. John was the fellow who took the awesome pick of the Magic Carpet ride. Very friendly and nice fellow.

Blue skies, John.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[ladyskydiver 0]

Blue skies, John!

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[jkbernstein 1]

I don't even know what to say... That's just so damn sad.

He just - very kindly - sent me another copy of the Magic Carpet Ride pic after mine melted. Truly nice guy.

My thoughts go out to his family and the Z-hills gang.

Blue skies, John.

[lauraliscious 0]

That is terrible. Did he also take that video of the MCR? So so sad. I'm glad to hear the picture was published though...

Blue skies, John.

Enemiga Rodriguez, PMS #369, OrFun #25, Team Dirty Sanchez #116, Pelt Head #29, Muff #4091

[jmpnkramer 0]

Vinny Just called to let me know.

I cannot believe it!

I will miss joking around with him!

He was a GREAT GUY!

He will be greatly missed around the hills.

.

Just one more reason to enjoy everyday you are here and make the most of it.

Blue Skies John!

Keith (KRAMER!)



.

The REAL KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!

"HESITATION CAUSES DEATH!!!"
"Be Slow to Fall into Friendship; but when Thou Art in, Continue Firm & Constant." - SOCRATES

[HeatherB 0]

Not sure what to say.

Rollerblading?? Wow.

My condolences to everyone who was close friends with him...Andrea and all those guys.

He (and Lady) had been a fixture around Z-hills for a long time.

[davelepka 4]

Thats messed up. Didn't another jumper get hit by a car near there in the last year or two? One of the Aerodyne guys maybe?

Quote

was struck by an off-duty police officer, and died later in hospital - no charges are to be laid according to the story.

You know if that guy was on-duty, and responding to the scene, he'd have the driver cuffed and in the back of the cruiser in no time.

[Stacy 0]

wow. I'm in shock. He was such a nice guy. Lady is such a sweet dog too.

[warpedskydiver 0]

Once again no charges filed WTF?...
I am sorry to hear what happened

some years ago my friends uncle was hit and killed on a hit and run by a police officer who was drunk at the time...he stated he thought he hit a deer...NO CHARGES FILED

[villain 0]

I've started writing this ten times and can't figure out what to say. I'm gonna miss you John, the skydiving, the convos around the fire, the drinks at Janine's and the bar, your excitement at getting upside down, your love for the sport and your big smile no matter what life was throwing your way. I'm sad for me, I'm sad for everyone else who loved you. May your next place be filled with puffy clouds, down wind landings and folks who care about you as much as we do.
Blue skys my friend.

Willy Wonka: We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.

[dgskydive 0]

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Thats messed up. Didn't another jumper get hit by a car near there in the last year or two? One of the Aerodyne guys maybe?

Ian Bellis (RIP) was killed at an intersection in Tampa by someone rushing to the hospital to see a sick family member. That was in 2003.

I didn't know John very well but it is sad to hear.

Dom

[jerm 0]

*sigh* Blue skies John. You'll be missed

Landing without injury is not necessarily evidence that you didn't fuck up... it just means you got away with it this time

[mouth 0]

OMG, NO. That is just so messed up. I had really enjoyed getting to know John over the past few months on trips down. What a great guy and so much fun to be around...even if he was crazy. Wait, he said I was. Anyway, I'm so going to miss you John. Blue skies my friend.

Any info on a service?

Lisa

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

[arlo 0]

mich called to give me the news this morning. that's so terribly fucked up. john and lady have been around zhills forever, it seems. my heart goes out to everyone at zhills. hard to believe we've lost another friend. what's gonna happen to lady?

guess i'll be seeing you guys again this weekend for another memorial. john, i'll miss you, bro.

with love...and i'll cya on the flipside, asshole.





fyi: there's a pic of john during the halloween boogie on the skydivecity website gallery. he's dressed in while religious garb standing with hans, bickner as a milk carton(happythoughts) and vinny as the viking(anvil).

http://www.skydivecity.com/phpgallery/photo.php?id=149

[skytash 0]

thanks for the pic Arlo, I know a number of Johns, having seen him, I remember him as a nice guy who ALWAYS had a smile on his face.



tash

Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is a special occasion. Avril Sloe

[leslieann 0]

This is horrible news. My heartfelt condolences to all who knew John. He was a good guy and friend.

Leslieann

[Rick 67]

There will be a memorial service Saturday morning at 11:00 at Skydive City.

John's organs are being donated as I type this.
I am sure a skydive will be organized. Janine has John's gear so we can take it on a jump in his honor.

You can't be drunk all day if you don't start early!

[charmsdroppop 0]

DAMN IT ALREADY....May you rest in peace John and I'll miss you at our campsite at the convention forever. Gonna do extra golf cart missions for ya!
Cheers Always,
Paquita

is it dark yet

[cocheese 0]

Rky and I jumped with him last year there. I remember how excited he would get with every jump.
Another wonderful person gone too soon. Blue skies and big smiles, John. See ya on the other side.

[HeatherB 0]

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May your next place be filled with puffy clouds, down wind landings and folks who care about you as much as we do.

Can I add "and no cows" to that list? And lots of dogs.

Hugs to Andrea, Janine, and everyone else.

[Snowwhite 0]

Add my thoughts and prayers to the list. Guess I didn't get down there often enough.
Hope you are all holding up under the weight of this sad news.

skydiveTaylorville.org
freefallbeth@yahoo.com