Haakon Thomas Donnelly

Haakon Thomas Donnelly, 46, of Dallas, Texas passed away on July15, 2023 after courageously facing a brief illness.  

In Kristi Madden, Haakon found his mirrored soul.  After meeting at the White Rock Running Co-Op, their 11-year union allowed them to share mutual interests in distance running, cycling, dogs, photography, domestic and international travel adventures, music and concerts, and cooking with each other and friends.  Kristi was his selfless caregiver over his last 7 months demonstrating limitless devotion and unconditional comfort.  

Haakon was born on September 12, 1976 to Joseph and Lynn Donnelly in Allentown, Pennsylvania.  He grew up in Beaumont, Texas and graduated from Brown University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in Early European History and was a four-year letterman on Brown’s varsity men’s crew – wining the 1995 collegiate national championship. Additionally, he rowed with the U.S. National Team as part of its Olympic Development Program, winning the 1996 Nations Cup Under 23 World Championship and the U.S. Rowing National Championship in the Men’s Open Eight.  Like his father, he pursued a law degree and graduated as a Mason Scholar at the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University with a Juris Doctor degree in 2001.

Over two decades, Haakon practiced law in Dallas as a partner at Bellinger Suberg, LLP.  His primary focus was on commercial litigation, employment, and insurance defense matters. He was recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer – Rising Star by Thomson-Reuters, 2012 – 2016.  He proudly represented peace officers around the State of Texas in various matters arising from on-duty activities.  

His father, Joseph Donnelly, Jr., and adulthood canine companion, Inge, preceded him in death.  He is survived by Kristi and their two dogs, Mabel and Birdie, his mother Lynn of Beaumont, Texas, brothers David and Joseph of Atlanta and McAllen respectively, and six nieces and nephews.  

Special thanks to the physicians and medical staff at MD Anderson and the Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Centers.  As a capstone to Haakon’s legacy, he provided the gift of his eyes and corneas so that others may celebrate the majestic beauty he saw over his years.  

Services will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church 3811 Oak Lawn Ave. Dallas, Texas on Friday, July 28 at 2 p.m. Central. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge program – https://cancer.org/hopelodge.