Obituary of James Richard O'Connor

It is with great sorrow we announce the death of Jim O’Connor. He was born in St. Paul, MN to Emmett and Dorothy (Willey) O’Connor. Jim is preceded in death by his parents; brothers John, Emmett, Peter and Jerry, sisters Patricia and Barbara. He is survived by his wife Lorraine and son Jeff (Cyndee).

Jim is a graduate of Harding High School, Dunwoody College, and the University of Minnesota. During the Korean War, his navel reserve unit was activated and sent to Kodiak Island, Alaska, until his honorable discharge. Jim was a certified registered engineer in both highway and civil engineering, and joined the team of young civil engineers at the Minnesota Department of Transportation where he spent his career designing, building, and maintaining our highways and bridges. He was a pioneer in the building of the US national highway system with a specialty in noise pollution and noise barriers.

Throughout his life, Jim was active enjoying many different activities such as bowling, biking, ski jumping, alpine skiing, water skiing, building his own speed boats and lake cabin, playing the sax in the St. Paul Police Band (honorary member) to name a few.

Most of all, Jim was an avid golfer. In the spring, summer, and fall his home course was Voyager Village Golf and Country Club near his Wisconsin cabin. In the winter it was Seven Springs Golf and Country Club in Seven Springs, FL. Jim won a number of trophies for his play, including a hole-in-one at Seven Springs on 3/19/2012.

Jim was a quiet man who kept his own counsel. He was loved, admired, and respected by his family, friends, and colleagues. WE MISS HIM. Remembrance and celebration of life to be scheduled at a later date.