Lawrence L. O’Connor
Marriages
Elizabeth "Betty" Gore
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D Death Notice - March 5, 2017
Lawrence L. O’Connor, 92, Fruita, died Feb. 28, 2017, at
HopeWest and Hospice Care Center.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fruita, followed by a graveside service at 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of the Western Slope.
He was a farmer and foreman at an oil refinery.
He is survived by one son, Patrick of Fruita; one daughter, Sydney Paris of Fruita; three brothers, Jack of Grand Junction and Tom and Jim, both of Fruita; five grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren.
Memorial contributions to HopeWest, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand
Junction 81506.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 7B Obituary - March 8, 2017
Lawrence L. O’Connor
April 24, 1924 - February 28, 2017
Lawrence "Larry" L. O’Connor was born in Grand Junction, Colorado, on April 24, 1924, to Luther and Jenny O’Connor. He worked on the family farm while attending Hunter and Fruita schools, graduating in 1941.
In World War II he served his country in the US Army Air Corps as a navigator aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress.
His original desire was to be a skilled pilot, but his math skills were too great. The airwar required “computers” for navigation. During navigation school at Michigan State University, he often reversed roles and provided assistance to his instructors. He was a classic example of all Veterans, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for this wonderful country, constantly defending the privileges and peace of mind that so many of us take for granted. God Bless the Veterans.
After the war, he returned to farming in the Fruita area, later
working for the Gilsonite refinery. He was married to Elizabeth
"Betty" Gore for 65 years until her death in 2013. They had two
children: a daughter, Sydney Paris and a son, Patrick (Karie)
O’Connor all of Fruita; five grandchildren, Lisa Paris of Fruita,
Ryan (Lori) Paris of Denver, Sean (Hanna) O’Connor and
Keara (Erik) Martinez of Rexburg, Idaho, and Garrett O’Connor
of Fruita, and three great-grandchildren, Ashleigh Zamarripa,
Ellen Paris, and Rex Paris. He is also survived by his brothers,
Jack O’Connor of Grand Junction, Tom O’Connor and Jim
(Dolores) O’Connor of Fruita, and many nieces and nephews.
His sister, Teresa Zmerzlikar, preceded him in death.
A true golfer, hunter, and fisherman, he personally noted, “I
enjoy hitting the ball, ‘hunting’ for it in the rough, and ‘fishing’
it out of the ponds”. Actually a very skilled golfer, he enjoyed
competition of all sorts, board games or cards, baseball field or
pool table, he relished the idea of “making it more interesting”
with a small wager. He also loved traveling with his family,
recently visiting Disney World where he rode all of the roller
coasters and to Nashville where he enjoyed the “Grand Ole
Opry” and a riverboat cruise.
He was a loving devoted husband, a beloved
father/grandfather/great-grandfather, and a trusted and cherished family to all of his family and many friends. A proud and brave man who taught honor and integrity, he used his kind heart and endless sense of humor to shine the best light on every situation, even in the face of great adversity. One of his friends recently said, “If you were in a bad mood when you came in, you’d be in a great mood when you left”. A true patriarch, he brought great joy and pride to all of his family. His memory and legacy will never be forgotten.
A Rosary will be held Friday, March 10, at 10:00 a.m.,
followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart
Church in Fruita. A Military Honors Ceremony at the Veterans
Memorial Cemetery will be held at 3:00 p.m. in Grand Junction.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to HopeWest
Hospice, 3090B N. 12th, Grand Junction, CO 81506.
