Arthur J. O'Connell, Jr.

Arthur James O'Connell, Jr. passed away on January 25, 2011, at the age of 84. Art was born on January 22, 1927, in San Antonio, Texas. He was raised by his Grandmother O'Connell in Joplin, Missouri, until her death in 1939. He then moved back to San Antonio to live with his father and step-mother. He served a brief period in the Army at the end of WWII and then moved back to San Antonio where he attended and graduated from Trinity University, receiving a degree in Chemistry. He was proud to have retired as a pharmaceutical sales representative. He jokingly referred to himself as a "drug pusher" to the doctors and staff. As a child he was known as Copper by his friends. His family called him Jimmy and later in life he went by Art. He was a long time member of Colonial Hills United Methodist Church. He was an intelligent man who loved his computer, archeology, nature, and traveling the countryside. He would often say "we are running away". Art was preceded in death by his mother, Jesse; his father, Arthur J. O'Connell, Sr; his step-mother, Meda; his first wife of 25 years, Joyce, and his second wife of 30 years, Jane. He is survived by his three children, Duane A. O'Connell, Brian J. O'Connell (wife Rennie), and Carol M. Williams (husband Mark). He is also survived by five step-children, Norma Jo Hay (husband John), Sarah Ann Pearce (husband Steve), Martha Mauldin (husband Bryan), Peggy Whitewood (husband Bubba), and James Fillingame (wife Rene). He enjoyed a multitude of grandchildren and great-grand children. A memorial service will be held at Northern Hills United Methodist Church Saturday, January 29 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Grace Place (Christian Senior Services) www.christianseniorservices.org/programs/grace-place.aspx or North East Senior Center www.sanantonio.gov/comminit/SeniorNortheastCenter.aspx.