Lawrence Christopher O'Connor

Chris was best known for going all in on whatever he put his mind to. Everything he did was to the best of his ability 100% of the time, most notably in his roles as a husband and father. Lawrence Christopher O’Connor, 41, of Collierville, TN, died peacefully of cancer at home on October 10, 2026.

He was born in Martin, TN in 1985 to Adrienne Earl and Peter O’Connor, and was their first-born son. Chris spent his childhood as most 80’s babies did, playing outside, riding bikes, playing recreational sports, watching Ninja Turtles, X-Men, and He-Man, playing video games, and tolerating school (barely.)

Chris met his wife, Sara, in 2001 at their first jobs at Malco Towne Cinema. They made fun of each other for months and then began dating. They have been inseparable ever since. Chris and Sara were married on January 24th, 2004. Of everything he did for his family, his relationship with Sara was the crown jewel. It’s said that the most important gift and legacy you can leave your children is the relationship you had with their mother. What a gift he gave.

Chris and Sara had their first child, Hailey, in 2004 at 18 and 19 years old. She was unexpected, they were unprepared, and she is magical. She was Chris’s north star and the thought behind every decision, big or small, that he ever made. Chris enjoyed every dance recital, soccer game, and swim meet she ever did. He was proud to sport a Thor tattoo when she got her tattoo license, when she decided to enroll in college, and even prouder of her love of all his 90’s music. He imparted every pearl of wisdom to her in his time with her, most often without words and more often with action.

Chris and Sara welcomed their son, William, in 2009 and Chris knew immediately the family was complete. Chris couldn’t wait to share his love of football with his son. They were two peas in a pod, enjoying superhero movies, Huskers football, fireworks, Game of Thrones, and anything else that would give him time with William. In Chris’s most recent years, his pride and joy has been watching William excel at water polo, spending most weekends attending games and cheering him on. He was immensely proud of the college acceptances, team offers, and official visits that came pouring in in his final days. Like Chris, William is a man of few words, but few were needed between the two of them.

Chris worked for UPS for 22 years and did it better than anyone. Beginning as a preloader and working his way up to become a cover driver and eventually a full-time driver, he was the hardest worker in all his roles. He loved his customers and went above and beyond to make sure they got what they needed, when they needed it. He loved a good tape gun, a two-wheeler, a full box of dog biscuits, an 8-hour day, a good preload, and a 60-degree day. He couldn’t wait for good “parceling weather!” He knew everyone’s address, garage codes, porch hiding spots, and what door businesses preferred deliveries to. He knew where every pedestrian was, the train schedule, road closures, and town events. He knew every dog and every child that loved his truck. He started every day by saying “Ain’t nothing to it but to do it.” His route will never be the same.

Everyone who knew Chris knew how much he loved the Nebraska Cornhuskers. His grandfather went to The University of Nebraska and passed his love of the huskers down to Chris. He loved a fall day, food on the grill, and the Huskers on TV. He carried endless hope about the possibility of each season and couldn’t tolerate a fair-weather fan. Heaven will be a loud place on Husker Saturdays.

Chris will always be remembered for his integrity, loyalty, work ethic, love for his family, and the way that he always showed up for those who needed him. We’ll always imagine hearing him say “O’Connorbots, Roll Out!” one more time. We couldn’t have asked for a better husband, father, brother, and son and we will miss him every day.

Chris’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him, and his greatest legacy will always be his children.

Lawrence Christopher O’Connor is preceded in death by maternal grandparents Lawrence Poppa & Jean Poppa, and paternal grandparents Dennis Michael O’Connor & Mary Louise O’Connor.

He is survived by wife Sara O’Connor, children Hailey & William O’Connor, Father and Stepmother Peter & Patty O’Connor, Mother and Stepfather Adrienne & Ross Earl.

He also leaves behind a brother, Jonas Earl, and sisters Meghan Earl, Kristen O’Connor, Jennifer Carver, and Sarah Talley.

If you wish to honor Chris's memory, memorial gifts may be made to West Cancer Clinic.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at Collierville Funeral Home, 3863 Bailey Station Rd., Collierville, TN 38017, US, on October 16, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Private burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery.