John James O'Connor

On March 1st, 2024, John passed from this earth to everlasting life in heaven. He was born September 12th, 1937, in Hollywood, CA, the youngest of three children born to his parents Adrian and Phyllis O’Connor. As a child, and in his teens, he loved spending time at the family’s ranch in Nevada City, CA. John was a 4th generation Californian in a family line that started when his ancestors emigrated from Ireland in 1849, perhaps hoping to get in on the “gold rush” but arriving too late. The family moved to Sacramento when John was in grammar school, and then to Los Angeles, where he attended Hollywood High School, was active in ROTC, and graduated with honors. He chose UCLA for college because they had ROTC, it was close to home, and was very affordable. He planned to become a doctor, but those plans changed along the way, and he graduated with a BA in Botany. It was at UCLA where John met his future wife, Patricia (Pat), at the Catholic Newman club. They dated for three years before marrying in 1962 at St. Anselm’s, Pat’s home parish in Inglewood, CA.

John and Pat bought their first home in Van Nuys, CA, and promptly started their family with first child, Lorraine. A second daughter, Eileen, came next. When a third child (Doug) was on the way, they needed a bigger house, so they bought one in a new rural community…Rowland Heights. By then, John had gone back to school, earned his Master’s degree and moved up in his career. In 1979, he earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering and worked in several research capacities. His strong interest in science was rewarded when he worked on the Apollo 16 mission at NASA, with astronauts in the “Microbial Response Experiment”. John’s career at times required travel to other countries, including Switzerland, Canada and Puerto Rico, and Pat was sometimes able to join him. They both enjoyed traveling to places that reflected their ancestry or scientific interest, and included trips and cruises to central Europe, the British Isles, France, and Mexico.

John was a good man of character, whose life centered on God and family. In California, he was elected “Grand Knight” in the Catholic men’s fraternal order, the Knights of Columbus, and he continued his membership in Oregon. John volunteered in his church and community, as a member of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), and through his Ham radio activities, including MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System). John absolutely loved his cats and cared for them so well. His interests included astronomy, archaeology, and military history. At one point, John had planned a military career, but an injury changed that. Instead, he joined the CA State Military Reserve, moving up in the ranks to Colonel, continuing as a Reserve officer in Oregon and completing several programs with distinction.

John was a role model for his children and grandchildren, and a loving, supportive partner for his wife Pat of 62 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Nancy, and his brother Brian. He leaves behind his children Lorraine (Jim) Anglemier, Eileen (Rick) Hatmaker, and Doug (Cara)O’Connor, and Grandchildren Caitlin Anglemier, Connor, Christian, and Savannah Hatmaker (Wojtysiak), and Cate O’Connor.

On Saturday, March 16th, 2024, at 10:30 am, a funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at Queen of Peace Parish, Salem, with reception following. Private burial will be at Belcrest Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider gifts to Queen of Peace or Blanchet Catholic schools.