Dr. John Chilton Horner McDonnell, 79, of Warrenton, died Sept. 26, 2000, at Fauquier Hospital.
He was born Oct. 13, 1920 in Fort Dade, Fla., and was raised in Warrenton.
Dr. McDonnell's roots in Warrenton precede its founding. His parents were Maj. Austin McCarthy McDonnell and Mary Theresa "Kitty" Belt McDonnell.
Dr. McDonnell completed his undergraduate work at Catholic University and earned his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. His association with Sigma Xi, the scientific society, began in college.
He participated in the North Africa and Sicily campaigns during World War II from 1942 to 1944, working in chemical warfare. He was employed by the U.S. government at the Naval Ordinance Station in Indian Head, Md., as a research chemist in the research and development division. Dr. McDonnell, "Doc" as he was known, retired after 26 years of service with the Department of the Navy. During his career, Dr. McDonnell received a number of patents for this innovative research.
Following retirement, the family moved back to Dr. McDonnell's boyhood home of Warrenton. All his life, Dr. McDonnell was an active member of the Society of the Cincinnati, as well as numerous other professional, civic and religious organizations. He was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus in the Father Veger Council and a Fourth Degree in the Bishop Flaherty Assembly. He also was a Secular Franciscan. His family contributed substantially to the Fauquier Historical Society during its inception and Dr. McDonnell continued that tradition with both artifacts and financial gifts, and as a docent for the Old Jail Museum. Additionally, he avidly pursued interests in history, family history, tradition and books.
Dr. McDonnell's love for the rails included membership in the Piedmont Railroaders, the National Association for Railroad Passengers and others. A ride on the Washington Metro system to the Library of Congress or the Smithsonian Institution, where he held associate membership, was a favorite pursuit. When Washington, D.C., was not on the agenda, he was a regular on Warrenton's Main Street, especially at the library.
Dr. McDonnell is survived by his wife of 48 years, Beatrice Martin McDonnell of Warrenton; three daughters, Mary Byrne McDonnell of New York, N.Y., Katherine Therese Belt McDonnell of Tucson, Ariz., and Barbara Ann Chilton McDonnell of Springfield; a son, Peter Martin McDonnell of Clinton, Md., and two grandsons.
He was preceded in death by his sister Autine Byrne McDonnell Hearst.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place Sept. 29 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Warrenton. Interment was in Bright View Cemetery near Warrenton.
He was born Oct. 13, 1920 in Fort Dade, Fla., and was raised in Warrenton.
Dr. McDonnell's roots in Warrenton precede its founding. His parents were Maj. Austin McCarthy McDonnell and Mary Theresa "Kitty" Belt McDonnell.
Dr. McDonnell completed his undergraduate work at Catholic University and earned his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. His association with Sigma Xi, the scientific society, began in college.
He participated in the North Africa and Sicily campaigns during World War II from 1942 to 1944, working in chemical warfare. He was employed by the U.S. government at the Naval Ordinance Station in Indian Head, Md., as a research chemist in the research and development division. Dr. McDonnell, "Doc" as he was known, retired after 26 years of service with the Department of the Navy. During his career, Dr. McDonnell received a number of patents for this innovative research.
Following retirement, the family moved back to Dr. McDonnell's boyhood home of Warrenton. All his life, Dr. McDonnell was an active member of the Society of the Cincinnati, as well as numerous other professional, civic and religious organizations. He was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus in the Father Veger Council and a Fourth Degree in the Bishop Flaherty Assembly. He also was a Secular Franciscan. His family contributed substantially to the Fauquier Historical Society during its inception and Dr. McDonnell continued that tradition with both artifacts and financial gifts, and as a docent for the Old Jail Museum. Additionally, he avidly pursued interests in history, family history, tradition and books.
Dr. McDonnell's love for the rails included membership in the Piedmont Railroaders, the National Association for Railroad Passengers and others. A ride on the Washington Metro system to the Library of Congress or the Smithsonian Institution, where he held associate membership, was a favorite pursuit. When Washington, D.C., was not on the agenda, he was a regular on Warrenton's Main Street, especially at the library.
Dr. McDonnell is survived by his wife of 48 years, Beatrice Martin McDonnell of Warrenton; three daughters, Mary Byrne McDonnell of New York, N.Y., Katherine Therese Belt McDonnell of Tucson, Ariz., and Barbara Ann Chilton McDonnell of Springfield; a son, Peter Martin McDonnell of Clinton, Md., and two grandsons.
He was preceded in death by his sister Autine Byrne McDonnell Hearst.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place Sept. 29 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Warrenton. Interment was in Bright View Cemetery near Warrenton.
Dr. John Chilton Horner McDonnell, 79, of Warrenton, died Sept. 26, 2000, at Fauquier Hospital.
He was born Oct. 13, 1920 in Fort Dade, Fla., and was raised in Warrenton.
Dr. McDonnell's roots in Warrenton precede its founding. His parents were Maj. Austin McCarthy McDonnell and Mary Theresa "Kitty" Belt McDonnell.
Dr. McDonnell completed his undergraduate work at Catholic University and earned his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. His association with Sigma Xi, the scientific society, began in college.
He participated in the North Africa and Sicily campaigns during World War II from 1942 to 1944, working in chemical warfare. He was employed by the U.S. government at the Naval Ordinance Station in Indian Head, Md., as a research chemist in the research and development division. Dr. McDonnell, "Doc" as he was known, retired after 26 years of service with the Department of the Navy. During his career, Dr. McDonnell received a number of patents for this innovative research.
Following retirement, the family moved back to Dr. McDonnell's boyhood home of Warrenton. All his life, Dr. McDonnell was an active member of the Society of the Cincinnati, as well as numerous other professional, civic and religious organizations. He was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus in the Father Veger Council and a Fourth Degree in the Bishop Flaherty Assembly. He also was a Secular Franciscan. His family contributed substantially to the Fauquier Historical Society during its inception and Dr. McDonnell continued that tradition with both artifacts and financial gifts, and as a docent for the Old Jail Museum. Additionally, he avidly pursued interests in history, family history, tradition and books.
Dr. McDonnell's love for the rails included membership in the Piedmont Railroaders, the National Association for Railroad Passengers and others. A ride on the Washington Metro system to the Library of Congress or the Smithsonian Institution, where he held associate membership, was a favorite pursuit. When Washington, D.C., was not on the agenda, he was a regular on Warrenton's Main Street, especially at the library.
Dr. McDonnell is survived by his wife of 48 years, Beatrice Martin McDonnell of Warrenton; three daughters, Mary Byrne McDonnell of New York, N.Y., Katherine Therese Belt McDonnell of Tucson, Ariz., and Barbara Ann Chilton McDonnell of Springfield; a son, Peter Martin McDonnell of Clinton, Md., and two grandsons.
He was preceded in death by his sister Autine Byrne McDonnell Hearst.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place Sept. 29 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Warrenton. Interment was in Bright View Cemetery near Warrenton.
He was born Oct. 13, 1920 in Fort Dade, Fla., and was raised in Warrenton.
Dr. McDonnell's roots in Warrenton precede its founding. His parents were Maj. Austin McCarthy McDonnell and Mary Theresa "Kitty" Belt McDonnell.
Dr. McDonnell completed his undergraduate work at Catholic University and earned his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. His association with Sigma Xi, the scientific society, began in college.
He participated in the North Africa and Sicily campaigns during World War II from 1942 to 1944, working in chemical warfare. He was employed by the U.S. government at the Naval Ordinance Station in Indian Head, Md., as a research chemist in the research and development division. Dr. McDonnell, "Doc" as he was known, retired after 26 years of service with the Department of the Navy. During his career, Dr. McDonnell received a number of patents for this innovative research.
Following retirement, the family moved back to Dr. McDonnell's boyhood home of Warrenton. All his life, Dr. McDonnell was an active member of the Society of the Cincinnati, as well as numerous other professional, civic and religious organizations. He was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus in the Father Veger Council and a Fourth Degree in the Bishop Flaherty Assembly. He also was a Secular Franciscan. His family contributed substantially to the Fauquier Historical Society during its inception and Dr. McDonnell continued that tradition with both artifacts and financial gifts, and as a docent for the Old Jail Museum. Additionally, he avidly pursued interests in history, family history, tradition and books.
Dr. McDonnell's love for the rails included membership in the Piedmont Railroaders, the National Association for Railroad Passengers and others. A ride on the Washington Metro system to the Library of Congress or the Smithsonian Institution, where he held associate membership, was a favorite pursuit. When Washington, D.C., was not on the agenda, he was a regular on Warrenton's Main Street, especially at the library.
Dr. McDonnell is survived by his wife of 48 years, Beatrice Martin McDonnell of Warrenton; three daughters, Mary Byrne McDonnell of New York, N.Y., Katherine Therese Belt McDonnell of Tucson, Ariz., and Barbara Ann Chilton McDonnell of Springfield; a son, Peter Martin McDonnell of Clinton, Md., and two grandsons.
He was preceded in death by his sister Autine Byrne McDonnell Hearst.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place Sept. 29 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Warrenton. Interment was in Bright View Cemetery near Warrenton.
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