Frank A. O'Connell, M.D.

Francis Aloysius O’Connell, M.D., 88, of Roeland Park, KS passed away March 2, 2014. Rosary will be prayed at 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 7 at McGilley & Hoge Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS with visitation from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m,.Saturday, March 8, at St. Agnes Church, 5250 Mission Road, Roeland Park, KS. Private burial following the mass.

Frank was the son of Dr. Paul James and Mary Louise (Gangel) O'Connell, born on Oct. 9th, 1925. One of nine children he attended grade school at Guardian Angels Parish School in Kansas City, MO and later graduated from Bishop Ward High School in 1943 as valedictorian.

He attended the University of Kansas and graduated from its medical school in 1951. This was followed by an internship at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kansas City, MO where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betty” Cleary, whom he married in 1952. They soon settled in Roeland Park, Kansas and raised a family of 9 children at the house on the corner known for the annual “waving Santa” Christmas display.

Professionally, he remained on staff at St. Mary’s Hospital (and later St. Joseph’s Hospital) serving as Chief of Staff during his tenure at St. Mary’s. Though he primarily practiced General Family medicine, he also administered anesthesia for a number of the surgeons on staff and delivered too many babies to count. He initially practiced with his father, Dr. P.J. O’Connell at the Argyle Building in downtown Kansas City, MO but soon moved his office to 79th and State Line Rd. where he remained until his retirement in 2005. He was an early member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Frank was an avid golfer, collector of golf equipment and lover of American history. He was a member at Indian Hills Country Club for 50 years. Even with his busy medical practice he was able to visit and play some of the great courses from Augusta National and Pebble Beach to the Old Course at St. Andrews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Betty of 58 years; daughter Karen (O’Connell) Schmidt; infant daughter Marie Elaine O’Connell; brothers Lawrence, Paul and John O’Connell; and sisters Louise Marx, Mary Alice Dolan and Anastasia Swift.

He is survived by two siblings, Gerald O’Connell, M.D. of Leawood, KS and Charles O’Connell of Austin, TX. He is also survived by eight children: Frank (Barb) O’Connell, Jr of Concord, CA; Terrie (Jim) Maloney of Overland Park, KS; Kathy O’Connell of Laguna Hills, CA; David (Sara) O’Connell of Mission Hills, KS; Michelle Hedges of Colorado Springs, CO; Lisa (Daniel) Powell of Atlanta, GA; Laurie (Dave) Coleman of Leawood, KS; and Amy O’Connell of Jacksonville, FL; 20 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas or Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care. Please offer condolences at www.mcgilleyhoge.com.

The family would like to express special thanks to the many kind caregivers who assisted in his home and at Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care.

“The best portion of a good life is the nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.”