Jay Mack O'Donald

Jay Mack O’Donald, 59, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026. He was born on August 25, 1966, to Bobby and Charlotte O’Donald in Abilene, Texas, and grew up just down the road in Hamby.

Jay Mack went to Hamby Elementary, Eula Middle School, and Clyde High School, where he graduated in 1984. He stayed busy playing basketball and tennis, running cross country and track, making plenty of friends along the way, and even being crowned Prom King his senior year. He met Stefani in 1983, when he was a junior and she was a freshman. They started dating on January 6, 1984, and after many years together, they married in Abilene in 1991. For 43 years, Jay Mack and Stefani shared a loving and steadfast partnership, standing by one another through life's joys and trials with unwavering devotion and love.

Jay Mack and Stefani moved to Austin in 1993, and in 1994 he began what became a long and proud career with the Texas Department of Transportation. He spent 32 years with TxDOT, retired, and then found his way right back to the TxDOT family he loved so much. To Jay Mack, TxDOT really was a second family. From traveling the district with the paint crew, to working with the maintenance and sign crews, to long hours on ice detail—usually on the night crew—and inspecting IH-35 and the 130 Toll, he truly earned the nickname “The Roadmap Man.” He could name exits and mile markers all along IH-35 and loved telling stories about the “treasures” he found on the roadside, many of which somehow ended up coming home with him. He could spot the tiniest shine from a coin, knife, or piece of metal while driving 85 mph down the highway, but still somehow couldn’t find the mustard in the refrigerator. He was often one of the first people to arrive at accidents or incidents on his roads. Jay Mack poured his heart and soul into TxDOT and gave 110% to every job. There simply wasn’t a harder-working man.

Jay Mack and Stefani welcomed their son, Justin Michael O’Donald, on January 27, 1994. Justin was the love of his Daddy’s life, and the two of them were inseparable. Jay Mack shared his love of sports and fishing with Justin from the time he was little; by about two years old, Justin could already throw a ball and cast a reel. Jay Mack was especially proud when Justin threw left-handed, just like him. He was involved in everything Justin did and coached him in all kinds of sports. Whether it was baseball, soccer, basketball, Cub Scouts, football, homework, PTA, the Athletic Booster Club, or working on Justin’s boat, Jay Mack showed up and gave it his all. God gave us one son by birth and blessed us with two bonus children, Jay Mack’s niece Daegan and nephew Skyler O’Donald. He was a big part of Daegan and Skyler’s formative years and was truly a dad figure to them. Justin, Daegan, and Skyler were inseparable—more like siblings than cousins. Jay Mack loved all his nieces and nephews and was always there to support them however he could. He was the first to pull out the deck of cards and get the card game going!

Skyler and his wife, Cheyanne, blessed us with three beautiful grandbabies: Lily, Charlie Dee, and Case. Jay Mack "GJ" loved them so much. He talked about them constantly, showed off their pictures, and shared stories about the “littles” with anyone who would listen. He always looked forward to weekends when we could visit New Braunfels or when they could come to Round Rock. Their GJ was forever picking up a new puzzle, deck of cards, or something fun for them to enjoy. They were his world, and he was so proud of them.

Jay Mack was welcomed into heaven by his grandparents, Delbert and Melba O’Donald and Dee and Mildred Gooch; his dad, Bobby O’Donald; and his sister, DeDee O’Donald. Jay Mack leaves behind the people who loved him most: his wife, Stefani O’Donald; his son, Justin O’Donald; his mom, Charlotte O’Donald; his brother, Blake O’Donald and wife Tammy; nephew/son Skyler O’Donald and wife Cheyanne; grandkids Lily, Charlie Dee, and Case O’Donald; niece/daughter Daegan O’Donald; nieces Mikah Kelly, Brionna Pritchard and husband Jack, and Blayre Piland and husband Walker; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jay Mack will be remembered for how deeply he loved his family, how much he loved fishing, and how passionate he was about sports—especially his Dallas Cowboys. We know he’s in heaven now with one very important job: being our guardian angel.

If you’d like to make a tribute gift or donation in Jay Mack’s memory, donations may be made to Texas Parks and Wildlife—Texas State Parks at www.tpwd.texas.gov.

Arrangements were entrusted to Lawson Funeral Home 254-435-2792.