Judge George J. Donegan, age 87, died Saturday, July 17, 2010, in Mercy Villa, in Springfield, Missouri. Donegan led a life dedicated to community, political and religious service. He acted in leadership roles for the Greene County Bar Association, Springfield Boy's Club, United Way and the Springfield Housing Authority (rejecting the national model which was to build large projects and instead getting smaller, dispersed projects approved) and Springfield Rotary Southeast Club. Donegan worked tirelessly for the Republican Party in Missouri, organizing rallies and working for many candidates. He was proud to be a part of the group that was bringing about the resurgence of the Republican Party--beginning with the election of John Danforth. Donegan enjoyed remarking, "Once Danforth borrowed a tooth brush at my house." Donegan was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1967 and served five terms. He enjoyed working "across the aisle" with Democrats from St. Louis on the passage of social justice legislation. Most notable was the passing of laws that forced public schools to assess and meet the needs of both exceptional and special needs children (similar requirements were later adopted nationally). Always ready to challenge or explain bills being considered on the House floor, colleagues nicknamed him, "Up again Donegan." Donegan was a Circuit Judge, Associate Division from 1981 to 1987. He was an early adopter of the practice of alternative sentencing which ordered mandatory counseling or community service instead of jail time. He considered jail time the last resort. Prior to becoming a Judge, he practiced civil and criminal law for 30 years, including as a trial attorney for the U.S. Justice Department. He earned his Juris Doctor degree at Georgetown University after service with the U.S. Army during World War II. He earned his undergraduate degree at Drury College. Donegan was a member of St. Agnes Cathedral, a counselor to a series of Catholic Bishops, a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, a member of Crosslines, St. Vincent DePaul and the Interfaith Council. Elizabeth Sheppard Donegan, his wife, predeceased him. Two sons, George J. Donegan, Jr. and Charles Donegan and sisters, Margaret Bush and Mary Agnes Logan predeceased him. One sister, Mildred Chauncy; and nine children survive him, Elizabeth Ann Donegan, M.d., Oakland Calif., Cecilia Drake, Tulsa, Okla., Michael Donegan, Kansas City, Mo., Kathleen (Larry) Gagnon, Dayton, Ohio, Darby (Randy) Dahl, Tulsa, Okla., Samuel P. (Kathy) Donegan, M.D., Martha's Vineyard, Mass., Laura Donegan, Bella Vista, Ark., Timothy (Keta) Donegan, Colorado Springs, Colo., David Sean (Cheryl) Donegan, Springfield, Mo.; 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren survive. The prayer service will be held at 7 p.m.,on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, in the Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., on Thursday, July 22, 2010, in St. Agnes Cathedral. Memorial donations may be made to Crosslines, The Kitchen or St. Vincent DePaul Society, c/o St. Agnes Cathedral, 533 South Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806.