Funeral services will take place on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota
of Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at the Hans P. Peterson Hospital in Philip at the age of 80
Welcoming their ten and a half pound baby boy Charles “Chuck” Joseph O’Connor to the world on March 19, 1937, were his parents, Catherine (Murphy) and FJ O’Connor. He quickly grew into an energetic young boy who was joined by four siblings: Rita, Bill, Paula, and Jim. He attended St. Marten’s Academy for one year during his elementary school years before continuing and finishing his education in Philip.
In high school, he made money breaking horses so he could take Shirley to the movies. The first car ride he ever gave her was the scariest ride of her life, and she swore she would never ride with him again (but she rode with him for 62 years). He followed her through school and all the way to Oregon before marrying her on November 12, 1955. To earn money, they picked peaches and worked in a cannery in Oregon so they could buy a car and move back to the ranch in South Dakota. When they made it home, all that was left in their pockets was $7.50, and that is how their story began.
Ranching was his passion, and Chuck loved the cowboy way of life. Whether it be roping calves out of the back of a pickup, doing a roundup on a lope, or going on long cattle drives, there was always excitement wherever Chuck was. Over the years, he progressed from riding horses to riding four wheelers. He had a unique way of training cattle, with a different method in each instance. Chuck loved to drive, and he was often seen making dust fly by pulling a trailer up and down the road. He was never without a joke or a story to make others laugh, and his wisdom was endless. Chuck had a way of making others laugh, and he never went anywhere that he didn’t run into an old acquaintance or make a new friend. His Irish wit and sense of humor will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.
Outside of ranching, Chuck was involved in various activities. He enjoyed acting in community plays, he was a board member of the Stockgrowers Association as well as the school board. One of his bigger thrills was racing his horse “Crazy Horse” in the Bad River Suicide Ride. He even chased his roots to Ireland on a trip of a lifetime. At work or play, he made the most of every day.
Family members grateful for sharing his life include Shirley, his wife of 62 years; one daughter, Shelly (Mike) Peris of Butte, MT; two sons Tim (Susan) O’Connor of Henderson, NV, and Todd (Laura) O’Connor of Philip; nine grandchildren Tiekola Fortune, Tomlin O’Connor, Jennifer Murgatroy, Sean Peris, Travis, Caleb, and Tara O’Connor, and Race and Paige O’Connor; seven great-grandchildren, Randall Chance “R.C.” Marymee, Olivia and Wyatt Murgatroy, Gavin Peris, Hunter O’Connor, Karisma Devarona, and Noah Faria; one brother, James “Jim” (Phyllis) O’Connor of Cheyenne, WY; brothers-in-law, John Tavernier of Coos Bay, OR, Chuck Tavernier of Eugene, OR, and Frank Narcisian of Golden, CO; sisters-in-law, Rhoda (Ted) Lufkin of St. Helens, OR, Virginia Tavernier of Coos Bay, OR, June Tavernier of Escondido, CA, and Sandra O’Connor-Gittings (Leo) of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Chuck was preceded in death by his son, Thomas “Tom” O’Connor; his parents; one brother William “Bill” O’Connor, two sisters Rita Narcisian and Paula O’Connor; and six brothers-in-law Roger, Boyd, Jimmy Lee, Bob, Larry, and Mike Tavernier.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with a vigil service at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 13 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 14 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.
Interment will be at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
VISITATION
5-7 p.m. with a rosary service at 7 p.m.
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Monday, August 14, 2017 - 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota
CELEBRANT
Father Gary Oreshoski
ASSISTED BY
Deacon Lloyd Frein
MUSIC
Marianne Frein – Pianist
Shelby Schofield – Cantor
“Parting Glass”
"I Am The Bread of Life"
"Pastures of The Lord"
"Taste And See"
"Gift of Finest Wheat"
"O Loving God"
“Lead Me Lord”
ALTAR SERVERS
John Schofield and Sammie Schofield
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Lester and JoAnn Pearson
USHERS
Branden West - Zack West
LECTOR
Annie Brunskill
PALLBEARERS
J.R. Snyder - Jake Fitzgerald
Dean Heeb - Brennan Daly
Mike Gebes - Scott Fitzgerald
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Lorita Nelson and Denise Nelson
Mednansky Family and Friends
Those who worked with or around Chuck
Friends and Family in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota