John O’Connor

Published 12:00 am Monday, December 14, 2009

John O’Connor, Ph.D., 75, of Bowling Green, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 12, 2009, at his residence.

The Chicago native was born Dec. 24, 1933. He was a retired professor and department head of psychology at Western Kentucky University, where he served in that position for more than 25 years. Dr. O’Connor was a veteran, retiring after 23 years of service with the Air Force. He was awarded several medals of honorable service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts in the Vietnam War. Before retiring from the Air Force at the rank of lieutenant colonel, he served two tours as a professor of psychology at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was known by his family as a fun man who loved sailing and woodworking. He was a member of Port Olive Yacht Club on Barren River, one of his favorite places. His family remembers him as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a son of the late John J. O’Connor and Anastasia Rynne O’Connor. He was preceded in death by a sister, LaVerne Bentson.

A brief memorial service is at 7 p.m. Tuesday at J.C. Kirby & Son Funeral Home, Lovers Lane chapel. Visitation is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions in memory of John O’Connor, Ph.D., to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 18th St., Washington, DC 20006; Hope Harbor of Bowling Green, 913 Broadway Ave., Bowling Green, KY 42101; or the American Cancer Society, 2425 Scottsville Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101.

Online condolences may be made at www.jckirbyandson.com.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret O’Connor; three children, Jennifer Eileen O’Connor and her husband, David Bruce, of Lafayette, Colo., John J. O’Connor and special friend, Lea Bradford, of Galveston, Texas, and Greg Purpus and special friend, Carmen Varney, of Bowling Green; a daughter-in-law, Jane Hutcherson Purpus, of Bowling Green; seven grandchildren, Bethani and Jocelyn O’Connor, both of Denver, Patrick Bruce, of Fort Collins, Colo., Kelly and Emily Purpus, both of Bowling Green, Mickey Bruce, of Lafayette, Colo., and Colleen O’Connor, of Galveston; three sisters, Teresa Stark, of California, June O’Loughlin, of Spearman, Texas, and Peggy Trautner and her husband, Robert, of Kingwood, Texas; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.