John Richard O'Connor

John was born in the Bronx, NY to Olga Patricia and John Joseph O'Connor. As a young boy the family moved to Oklahoma City where his father started a small business, O'Connor's Pest Control. The family were devout Catholics, sending John to St. Gregory's in Shawnee, Oklahoma where he made lifelong friends. John had dreams of attending Seminary School or teaching history, government and philosophy but that destiny changed when he met the love of his life, Patsy. He joined his father and grew the family business where he was CEO of O'Connor's Lawn and Garden for 50 years. John was also the head football coach at Christ the King Catholic School ten years where they excelled as state champions for eight of those years. He then became the assistant girls basketball coach with Coach Phil Kierl at Bishop McGuinness High School. His skills of mentoring youth forged more lifelong friends as his gentleness, compassion, sense of humor and morality were legendary to those that knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a younger sibling, Robert Dennis. He is survived by his beloved wife Pat of nearly 60 years and his five devoted children, Patricia Kay, Shaun Michael (Stacy), Timothy Patrick (Trisha), Erin Colleen VanNostrand (Rick), and Kevin Brian (Janice). He also leaves behind grandchildren, Lisa, Lauren, Caroline, Jacquelyn, Kyle, Shane and Kelly. He will be truly missed and never forgotten. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 26, 2016 at Christ the King Catholic Church with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.