Raymond Patrick O’Connor passed away on January 13, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. He was born on November 12, 1941, to Raymond Patrick O’Connor and Mary Veronica Linz.
As a young man, Ray was very active with the Boy Scouts of America, earning his Eagle Scout rank. He graduated high school from St. John’s Preparatory School in 1959. After high school he attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy. In 1960, he married the love of his life, Susan Joanne York, and remained in love and dedicated to his family for 62 years. He started his family in West Hempstead, New York, and attended Hofstra University earning a bachelor’s degree while working for Long Island Lighting Company and volunteering for the West Hempstead Fire Department. He earned his master’s degree from St. John’s University before moving his family to Tampa, Florida where he worked for Tampa Electric and taught at St. Leo University. Four years later he moved to Sterling, Virginia and earned his PhD in Philosophy from George Mason University, while volunteering for the Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad and spoiling his four children. He eventually settled in Allen, Texas where he was very active in Mensa, organizing hospitality events. After retiring, he earned his massage therapy license and taught massage therapy at Sterling Health Center. Ray loved to vacation, taking many trips with his children all over the country, Canada, and Mexico. He was an avid cruiser, taking 21 cruises with his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends. Nothing made him happier than spending time with his family and serving others.
Ray is survived by his wife, Susan O’Connor of Allen, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Colleen and Steve Hutchings of Allen, Texas; son, Raymond Patrick O’Connor III and wife, Denise, of Manassas, Virginia; daughter, Susan O’Connor of St. Peters, Missouri; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Cliff Flowers of Branford, Florida; grandchildren, Kendra Avila and husband, Rogelio, Briana O’Connor and wife, Sally Coleman, Raymond Patrick O’Connor IV, Monica Heck and husband Joseph, William Morgan, Alex Flowers, and Vanessa Flowers; great grandchildren, Keira O’Connor, Gabriel O’Connor, Jude Hall, Alysia Flowers, and Maia Flowers; and his brother, Kevin O’Connor, of Hagerstown, Maryland and a host of other loving family and friends.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Raymond Patrick O’Connor and Mary Veronica Linz and sisters, Kathleen Meyer and Mary Menna.
A memorial service will be held Friday, January 20, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, 75013. Family and friends will gather in Ray’s honor after the service. The service will be livestreamed at the following link; https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/raymond-patrick-oconnor-jr. The recorded version will be available for viewing at the same link after the service.