James Edward McDonnell II, 89, of Vero Beach, passed away on July 30, 2016.
He is survived by his children Thomas Mehl McDonnell, Pamela McDonnell Hindsley, and James Edward McDonnell, III; and grandchildren, Elinor Payne Clendenin and Charlotte Hindsley; and great-grandson Carson Payne Clendenin, born July 29, 2016.
McDonnell was born Dec. 7, 1926, in Baltimore, Md., to the late Eleanor Eisenhart and Charles Austin McDonnell.
He moved from Baltimore to Vero Beach and vacationed in his Ocean City, N.J., home.
A childhood polio survivor, McDonnell built a successful wholesale distribution business which included citrus groves and real estate in Indian River.
He was a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
McDonnell was active in Baltimore Country Club, United Produce Association and The Johns Hopkins University. A former Board member of The Boys Latin School, Mr. McDonnell was recognized as Alumnus of the Year in 1988.
Merrill Lynch featured McDonnell as its investor of the year in 1990.
Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
