Terry James O'Connell

Fr. O'Connell of Beaverton, Oregon passed away peacefully in his sleep the morning of November 10, 2025, at the age of 71 after a long battle with Congestive Heart Failure.

He was born in the city of Minot, North Dakota to Earl and Myrtle (Annell) O’Connell. Terry often spoke about how much he hated the snow and how he would go to school even if there was 5 feet of snow. When Terry was 9 years old, the O’Connell family moved to Salem, OR where he graduated from McNary High School in 1972. Though he maintained a distance from his blood relatives, Terry was never alone, building a vibrant and loving chosen family that provided him with immense joy and support.

Terry went to the University of Oregon and graduated in 1978 where he earned a double major: BS in Psychology and Social Work. He met some of his best lifelong friends in the dorms who were by his side until the end. Terry gained a chosen family which included Robert (Bob) and Pamela (Pam) Ogle Jr, LuAnn and her late husband David Hamilton. Between the five of them, they got into a lot of mischief in their 20’s, family time in their 30’s, adventures in their 40's, and vacations in their 50-60's. While their retirement plans never came to fortition in traveling the world, they still kept laughing and celebrating every life milestone together.

After graduating collage, Terry enlisted in the Navy as a vocational counselor. He moved up the ranks and became a Navy Officer Billet - Electrical Officer on the USS Nicholson, DD 982. He went all over the world, including Persian Gulf with the Middle East Force amid the Iran-Iraq War's "Tanker War" phase, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, the Gulf, Guantanamo Bay, Barcelona, Spain, Mediterranean, and Caribbean just to name a few.

Terry was honorable discharged on June 3, 1986, at PSD NETC Newport, Rode Island. After he disembarked in Rode Island, 30-40 fellow military personal rode bicycles across the United States. The group saw major sites, celebrated birthdays together, camped in every state, and even created their own song. Slowly people diverted from the group as they hit their home state. The last 10 Pacific Northwestern riders ended up in the Ogle’s backyard in Beaverton, OR for a night.

The next phase of Terry’s life involved the Catholic Church, Terry enrolled at the University of Portland while living at the St John Vianney House of studies perusing pre-theological studies from 1986, then received a “pastoral year” placement 1989-1990 at St Anne Prish in Gresham, OR. For one summer, Fr. Terry signed up for a mission in Mexico, he left not knowing any Spanish and was assigned living arrangements with a local family. There he fluent Spanish, culture, and found a love in culinary arts.

He started his seminary journey in 1989 at Mt Angel Seminary and was ordained a Catholic Prist on September 5, 1992 at St Mary’s Cathedral in Portland, OR.

In order of priestly ordination, he served at:

Sacred Heart – Medford

Mision Santo Niño de Atocha Guantanamo, Cuba

St. Monica - Coos Bay

St. James - McMinnville

Good Shepherd - Sheridan

St. Michael - Grand Ronde

St. Peter - Newberg

St. Juan Diego – Portland

Fr. Terry was the second permanent pastor at St Juan Diego in Portland, OR between 2013-2021. During that time he started the Panish mass for the parish in July 2014 and started the planning and funding of a new community building. Unfortunately, he never saw the hall completed.

Fr. Terry was forced into retirement after a life altering stroke in 2021. Since then, his health declined and other serious health issues became prominent. His final residence was an adult foster home in Beaverton, OR.

His final days he was supported by Apage Hospice, Thrive Care LLC, and his friends/family.

Preceded Terry in death were his parents Earl (1981) and Myrtle (2012) O’Connell, siblings Early Jr, Diane, and Jerome. Chosen family member David Hamilton.

Survived by his chosen family:

Neice Caroline (Ogle) and her husband James M., their children Stella and James R. (Jack) Soldani.

Nephew: Robert (Rob) and his son Hudson Ogle III.

Chosen Family: Robert (Bob) Ogle Jr., Pamela (Pam) Ogle and LuAnn Hamilton.

Along with all his past parishioners who became family to Fr Terry though his years of service, you helped make Terry’s life a lot brighter.

A Military Honors service will be held prior to his Catholic Funeral on December 29, 2025, at St Juan Diego in Portland, OR.

Military Honors starting at: 11:00am

Catholic Service to follow.

Reception in the community Church afterward.

Please come celebrate Fr. Terry J O’Connell’s life after death with his family and friends.