John Paul O’Connor of McKinney, Texas passed away on January 17, 2020 at the age of 85. He was born on May 4, 1934 to Louis and Helen (Woods) O’Connor in Farley, Iowa. John grew up in Stockton, Illinois where he graduated from Stockton High School in 1952. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in May of 1952. During his time of service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Reserve Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was Honorably Discharged as a Captain in 1965. John married Carolyn Sue Rich on December 1, 1973 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was a pilot with American Airlines for twenty-nine years until his retirement in 1994. John enjoyed traveling with his wife and attending Texas Tech football games where his two children attended college. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
John is survived by his wife, Carolyn O’Connor; daughter, Sharron Bigham and husband, Shawn of McKinney, Texas; son, Martin O’Connor and wife, Beth of Pflugerville, Texas; grandchildren, Tobin Bigham, Calen Bigham, Keira O’Connor, Gavan O’Connor; brother, Patrick O’Connor and wife Barbara of Sun City Center, Florida; sister, Cathleen O’Connor of Valrico, Florida; nieces and nephews, Mike Murphy and wife, Nancy, Jennifer Walton and husband, Robert, John O’Connor and his wife Collette and numerous other loving family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Colleen Murphy.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211. The family will receive friends during a visitation Tuesday, January 21, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.