James Francis O'Connell, Jr.

Our precious Dad, Grandad and Mom's Sweetheart, James Francis “Corky” O’Connell Jr., 81, went to be with the Lord on January 22, 2010, surrounded by family at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City. Jim was born December 24, 1928, in Paden, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, James F. O’Connell and Charley Mae Moore Harwell, and siblings Jean O’Connell, Charles “Smokey” O’Connell and Steve Harwell. Mr. O’Connell spent his childhood in Paden, Prague, and Seminole before joining the Army Air Corp (Air Force) in 1946 where he became one of the youngest Chief Master Sergeants. His service spanned the end of World War II, the Korean conflict, and Viet Nam. Mr. O’Connell was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for distinguished service. He married Lillie Dawn “Dawna” McGuire (his sweetheart) on October 29, 1949, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He retired from the Air Force in 1968. After his retirement from the Air Force, he and his family moved to Oklahoma City where he worked as an auditor for the Oklahoma State Examiner and Inspector for the State of Oklahoma for one year. He began working for Deaconess Hospital in 1969 and was Associate Administrator at the time of his retirement in 1993. Jim worked for the Oklahoma Urology Center for approximately 12 years. During that time he was appointed by Senator Henry Bellmon as an honorary judge of medical insurance claims for the State of Oklahoma for several years. He was a dedicated volunteer at his beloved church, Crossings Community Church, where he served in several capacities. Survivors include his wife of 60 years,Dawna O’Connell of the home; daughter, Sharon O’Connell Whish and her husband, Myron, of Edmond; sons, Rick O’Connell and his wife, Teresa, of Colorado Springs, CO; Billy O’Connell of Oklahoma City; brothers and sisters-in-law, Pat and Audry O'Connell of Rock Springs, WY, Larry and Marjorie O'Connell of Del City; sisters, Carolyn Alexander of Mustang, Linda Cook of Moore; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends. The family would like to thank the wonderful nursing staff of Mercy Health Center, the Oklahoma Heart Hospital and Faith Hospice for their compassionate care during these last few weeks. Donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association Chapter of Oklahoma at 3555 NW 58th Street, Suite 220, Oklahoma, City, OK 73112 in honor of his everlasting love for his sweetheart, Dawna. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 25, 2010, at 10:00 AM, at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City. Private interment will follow at the Prague Cemetery in Prague. Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague.