Obituary of Thomas Michael O'Connor

Thomas Michael O’Connor passed away on May 10, 2021 at TX Health Presbyterian Hospital in Allen, TX. He was born April 17, 1938 in Manhattan, NY to Thomas O’Connor and Adelaide Harris O’Connor. He was the second of seven children. He grew up in the Bronx and looked forward to spending summers in Staten Island at the beach with his extended family. He graduated from St. Simon Stock High School and was offered a full athletic scholarship for basketball and baseball at Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL. While in college, he became a member of the Phi Omega Fraternity and always was the life of the party. Upon graduation he became a Lieutenant Tank Commander in the Army and stationed in Manheim, Germany. It was there where he met Wanda Jean Kelly, a teacher from TX. They married in November 1963 in Germany just prior to returning to NY. Tom had a long, distinguished career in advertising and, after many years on the east coast, the family relocated to the Dallas area. Throughout his life, Tom maintained a solid network of friends from NY and Spring Hill College. He had a great strength of character that was reinforced by his love of the Lord and dedication to his family and friends. Tom is preceded in death by Wanda, his wife of 57 years, his sister, Maureen, and brothers Joseph and John. He is survived by his daughter, Kelly, and husband, Drew of Fairview, TX; daughter Carol of Dallas; five grandchildren, Meghan Karras, Amanda Karras, Devon Karras, Drake Burcham and Grant Burcham; brothers Robert, Michael and Daniel; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held at 3pm, Friday, June 4th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano, TX.