Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Wednesday, October 7, 2009


George Bird O'Dwyer George Bird O'Dwyer of Austin entered the presence of his Savior and Lord on Oct. 4, 2009. He was born Feb. 6, 1954, in Dallas to Biddy and Tom O'Dwyer. George and Ann's faithful walk and contagious serenity, touched many lives. George approached the challenge of his illness with the same dignity, courage and tenacity with which he approached life. He will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted son, brother, uncle, stepfather and friend. He was passionate, generous, thoughtful, funny, sentimental, full of life, and always fun to be around. He was a caregiver, an entertainer, a cowboy, a music lover and a sports enthusiast. He loved Austin and loved sharing it with friends and family. He had style - his own style - that only he could pull off. He was phenomenally creative, evidenced in all facets of his life. George was a 1973 graduate of Highland Park High School and a 1977 graduate of Texas Tech University where in 2006 he was named an Outstanding Alumnus by the College of Mass Communications. At Tech, George was a cheerleader and was president of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, where he was the personification of a True Gentleman. He was an Eagle Scout, a member of the U.S. Marshall's posse in Dallas and a board member of the Walt Garrison MS Rodeo. In Austin, he was a board member of Texas Pacific Film and Video and Friends of Texas Public Schools. He was a 30-year veteran of the television, film and the recording industry and exhibited an undying passion for this industry. He left his most recent mark with 501 Post in Austin, where he served as executive producer and partner. He received many prestigious industry awards, including two Clio's, two Cannes Lions and numerous Telly's and Addy's. George was preceded in death by his father, Thomas A. O'Dwyer, and brother-in-law, John Franklin Miller III. In addition to his wife, Ann, and her daughter, Hannah, he is survived by his mother, Jeanne Bird (Biddy) O'Dwyer, his siblings and their spouses Ann and Hugh Blackwell, Kay Miller, Mary and Tom O'Dwyer, and Lisa and Bill O'Dwyer. He is also survived by his 15 nieces and nephews, Tod, Peter, Michael, Bridget, John, Julia, Spence, Liza, Trevor, Patrick, Corey, Shay, Ryan, Elli and Billy. The family wishes to offer special thanks to Cindy Lawther Custer, Dr. Morris Groves, Kathleen Grigsdale, Be Pei, and all the staff at MD Anderson. Pallbearers are Kirk Dooley, Mark Dunlap, Charlie Jones, Lynn Lawther, Joe Meredith Skeeter Miller, Martin Peck, and Patrick Tourville. A visitation will be held on Thursday evening October 8th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Calvary Hill North Mausoleum Chapel, 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, TX. 75220. A funeral mass will be held on Friday morning October 9th at 10:00 a.m., October 9th at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8017 Preston Road. Private internment following the Mass. Memorials may be made to: Brain research being conducted by Dr. Morris Groves at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center - PO Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210, St. Edwards University Campus Ministry -Box 1028 3001 South Congress Austin, Tx. 78704, Texas Tech Foundation, Inc. in memory of George O'Dwyer for Mass Communications. Please send contributions to Texas Tech Foundation, Inc., Box 45025, Lubbock, TX 79409-5025. As George always said - and is still saying - "Don't worry about anything, everything's fine here". Hallelujah! To leave condolences for the family visit www.allenfamilyfuneraloptions.com