Thomas J. O'Connor

Thomas J. "Tom" O'Connor, 92, longtime rural Parsons resident, passed away the afternoon of Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Parsons Presbyterian Manor.

Thomas Joseph O'Connor, Jr. was born on June 1, 1929, to Thomas Joseph and Elizabeth Ann (Jungles) O'Connor in Mercy Hospital in Parsons.  Growing up outside of Parsons on the family farm, Tom attended schools in Parsons, graduating from Parsons High School in 1947.  During those years, he participated in 4-H, often showing prize-winning livestock at the county fair.  He also worked for the Katy Railroad, riding his bike up and down the rails to deliver messages. Following high school, Tom earned an associate's degree from Parsons Junior College and was intending to attend Kansas State University.  His plans and life were changed when he was instead called upon to serve his country in the United States Army in the Korean War.

Later he would share with his children how serving in the military allowed him to travel the world and to see places he never would have otherwise.  While stationed in Seattle and waiting for his deployment to Korea, Tom met his first love, Arlyne Joyce Bloeser.  While Tom was gone, Arlyne wrote to him daily and upon his return to the United States, Tom and Arlyne were united in marriage on August 29, 1953, at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Seattle, Washington.  The couple settled in Parsons, purchasing their first farm and home on West Main.  Over the years, they continued to work hard and purchase farmland.  Until moving to Presbyterian Manor, Tom had lived on his farm northwest of Parsons for which he and Arlyne had worked so hard and loved.  While farming and raising cattle, Tom also worked full time at the Katy Railroad for several years and then at Dayton Superior for 40 years, retiring from there.

In 1983, Arlyne preceded him in death after a long battle with cancer.  On September 2, 1995, Tom married Elaine (Patton) Watson.  She preceded him in death on February 1, 2015.

A lifelong, faithful Catholic, Tom was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church until it closed and was currently a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.  He also held a lifetime membership in the Brown-Bishop, Post 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars.   Faith, family, and farming were the three most important things in Tom's life.  He exemplified the values of kindness, honesty, friendship and hard work to his family and friends.

Survivors include:

One son - Mike O'Connor and his wife, Dena, of rural Parsons, Kansas

One daughter - Kristen Bradbury of Parsons, Kansas

Eight grandchildren - Brett O'Connor and his wife, Ashlee, of Montgomery, Texas; Kyle O'Connor and fiancé, Megan Noble, of Kansas City, Kansas; Shea O'Connor of Kansas City, Missouri; Bridget Bradbury of Frontenac, Kansas; Jessica Carson and her husband, Tristan, of Conway Springs, Kansas; Bernadette Bradbury of Lawrence, Kansas; Julia Bradbury of Parsons, Kansas; and Annette Bradbury of Parsons, Kansas

Two great-grandchildren - Ian and Halee O'Connor

One sister-in-law - Peggy O'Connor of Coffeyville, Kansas

He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlyne O'Connor on April 23, 1983; his wife, Mary Elaine Watson-O'Connor on February 1, 2015; one daughter, Carol O'Connor on November 1, 2007; one granddaughter, Cecilia Marie Bradbury; one son-in-law, Steve Bradbury; one brother, Harold Louis "Louie" O'Connor.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 23, 2021, at St. Patrick Catholic School Gymnasium.  Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.  The rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons.  The family will receive friends after the rosary.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick Catholic Church Renovation Fund.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357