D. Gene "Red" O'Connor
© Thomas Funeral Home of Welch, OK
Submitted by: A
Former Welch, Oklahoma farmer, D. Gene "Red" O'Connor, now of Vinita, passed away Saturday, April 28, 2012 at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa, after an illness. He was 82 years old.
Gene was born May 18, 1929 in Centralia, OK to Ellis W. and Orpha L. (Simmons) O'Connor. He married Betty Lou Carr on May 9, 1945 in Girard, Kansas. In 1953, the couple made their home on a farm east of Welch, where they enjoyed farming, raising cattle and haying. They were active in the community and were long time members of the Welch Baptist Church. Gene worked for B.F. Goodrich in Miami for many years before retiring. In July of 2002, Gene and Betty moved to Vinita. After 63 wonderful years together, Betty preceded Gene in death on July 10, 2008. Gene continued to reside in Vinita, where he was surrounded by family.
He was also preceded in death by his parents and four siblings; Juanita McGee, Edna Eisenbise, Fleeta Most, and Clay O'Connor.
He is lovingly survived by four daughters, Carolyn Nelson and her husband, David of Chouteau, Marolyn Hazelswart and her husband Jerry of Antwerp, Ohio, Donna O'Connor and Barbara O'Connor, both of Vinita; one brother, Lee O'Connor of Coffeyville, Kan., one sister, Louise Jenkins of Lubbock, Texas; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and special friends.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at the Thomas Funeral Home, Welch, Okla. with Minister Brad Canham will officiate. Family serves as pallbearers.
Interment at Williams Timberhill Cemetery, East of Welch, Okla.
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