August 8, 1996-Victoria Advocate
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Prominent Victorian Tom O’Connor Jr. dies at age 81
Prominent Victoria rancher, oilman, banker and philanthropist Tom O’Connor, JR. died Wednesday afternoon at Citizens Medical Center.
O’Connor, 81, was senior chairman of the board of Victoria Bank & Trust Co. an its holding company, Victoria Bankshares, Inc. until their merger earlier this year with Norwest Corp.
On Wednsday evening, friends and colleagues paid tribute to a generous man and great leader.
“Tom was a great Texan and an important part of our Texas heritage,” said Gov. George W. Bush. “He was a fine and decent man, and we will miss him sorely.”
State Comptroller John Sharp, a Placedo native, said, “Everybody that’s ever lived in Victoria and the Coastal Bend has been positively affected by Tom O’Connor. He was a builder and Victoria would look a whole lot different if O’Connor had not been born.”
Victoria County Judge Helen Walker said she grew up on a farm close to the O’Connor ranch near McFaddin. “From my earliest memory, Tom O’Connor Jr. has been a positive force in the county and the community. From the county’s viewpoint, he has been a supporter, a benefactor for many, many county projects over the years. On behalf of all Victoria County, I would extend my deepest sympathy to his family. He has been a personal friend, and he will be truly missed.”
“I don’t know that words can describe the loss,” said Mayor Gary Middleton, who called O’Connor a true community leader. “His loss will be felt throughout the community, not only for his support of the city of Victoria and the county, but for its youth through the things he has one for the community over the years.”
Ted Reed, former mayor of Victoria, expressed his sadness at the loss of a friend and confidant. “We have lost a valuable citizen of our community,” Reed said, “one who was always generous with his time, his talent, and his treasure to benefit his fellow man, a man who had the respect and admiration of an entire community.”
O’Connor, who served on the Victoria College board of trustees since 1979, had chaired the building committee for many years, said VC President Jimmy Goodson. The $12 million building program take to the voters in 1989 bond election resulted largely from O’Connor’s leadership and guidance, he said. “The public passed it overwhelmingly which was in no small part due to the confidence his support engendered in the public,” Goodson said.
Born into a South Texas pioneer family, O’Connor was the great-grandson of the Thomas O’Connor who emigrated from Ireland and received 650-acre land grant in 1836 for fighting in the Texas war for independence from Mexico.
[Mr. O’Connor was born March 6, 1915 to Thomas and Kathryn Stoner O’Connor. O’Connor graduated from Victoria College in the mid-1930s. IN 1939 he was named to V B&T’s board of directors. He was also founding director of Victoria Bankshares. In 1942, he became the manager of O’Connor Brothers ranches, and ran them with only two ranch hands during World War II. He owned the Victoria Rosebuds, professional baseball team which won the 1959 Texas League championship. He disbanded the team after suffering a heart attack in 1960. He also owned the Rosebud professional auto racing team, whose drivers Stirling Moss and Innes Ireland, along with chief mechanic Jock Ross won numerous races. He donated three of his racing cars to the auto mechanics classes at Victoria High School in 1965.
O’Connor 21st Century Magnet School was named for his first wife, Junie Broussard O’Connor, who died in 1955. Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and school also were built in her memory. O’Connor was known for his support of youth activities, including Victoria County 4-H and Boy Scouts. He also organized and led the campaign to build the Victoria Community Center.
His philanthropic efforts over the years helped support numerous organizations, including Citizens Medical Center, ST. Joseph High School, Victoria Preservation, INC., the Victoria Public Library, Twin Pines Nursing Home and the Salvation Army.
He also served nearly 12 years on the Victoria County Airport Commission, resigning in 1978.
O’Connor was preceded in death by his first wife, Junie B. O’Connor, and his second wife, Jackie Gardner O’Connor; and his sister, Mary O’Connor Braman. He is survived by his daughters, Louise S. O’Connor, of Refugio County, and Kathryn O’Connor Counts, of Austin, and his brother, Dennis Martin O’Connor. He has seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
A rosary, lead by Bishop David Fellhauer, will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral for friends.
Private services will be held at St. Dennis’ Chapel on the O’Connor Ranch. Burial will be in the O’Connor Family Cemetery.
Memorials: St. Joseph High School Scholarship Fund and the Youth Home of Victoria.
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Prominent Victorian Tom O’Connor Jr. dies at age 81
Prominent Victoria rancher, oilman, banker and philanthropist Tom O’Connor, JR. died Wednesday afternoon at Citizens Medical Center.
O’Connor, 81, was senior chairman of the board of Victoria Bank & Trust Co. an its holding company, Victoria Bankshares, Inc. until their merger earlier this year with Norwest Corp.
On Wednsday evening, friends and colleagues paid tribute to a generous man and great leader.
“Tom was a great Texan and an important part of our Texas heritage,” said Gov. George W. Bush. “He was a fine and decent man, and we will miss him sorely.”
State Comptroller John Sharp, a Placedo native, said, “Everybody that’s ever lived in Victoria and the Coastal Bend has been positively affected by Tom O’Connor. He was a builder and Victoria would look a whole lot different if O’Connor had not been born.”
Victoria County Judge Helen Walker said she grew up on a farm close to the O’Connor ranch near McFaddin. “From my earliest memory, Tom O’Connor Jr. has been a positive force in the county and the community. From the county’s viewpoint, he has been a supporter, a benefactor for many, many county projects over the years. On behalf of all Victoria County, I would extend my deepest sympathy to his family. He has been a personal friend, and he will be truly missed.”
“I don’t know that words can describe the loss,” said Mayor Gary Middleton, who called O’Connor a true community leader. “His loss will be felt throughout the community, not only for his support of the city of Victoria and the county, but for its youth through the things he has one for the community over the years.”
Ted Reed, former mayor of Victoria, expressed his sadness at the loss of a friend and confidant. “We have lost a valuable citizen of our community,” Reed said, “one who was always generous with his time, his talent, and his treasure to benefit his fellow man, a man who had the respect and admiration of an entire community.”
O’Connor, who served on the Victoria College board of trustees since 1979, had chaired the building committee for many years, said VC President Jimmy Goodson. The $12 million building program take to the voters in 1989 bond election resulted largely from O’Connor’s leadership and guidance, he said. “The public passed it overwhelmingly which was in no small part due to the confidence his support engendered in the public,” Goodson said.
Born into a South Texas pioneer family, O’Connor was the great-grandson of the Thomas O’Connor who emigrated from Ireland and received 650-acre land grant in 1836 for fighting in the Texas war for independence from Mexico.
[Mr. O’Connor was born March 6, 1915 to Thomas and Kathryn Stoner O’Connor. O’Connor graduated from Victoria College in the mid-1930s. IN 1939 he was named to V B&T’s board of directors. He was also founding director of Victoria Bankshares. In 1942, he became the manager of O’Connor Brothers ranches, and ran them with only two ranch hands during World War II. He owned the Victoria Rosebuds, professional baseball team which won the 1959 Texas League championship. He disbanded the team after suffering a heart attack in 1960. He also owned the Rosebud professional auto racing team, whose drivers Stirling Moss and Innes Ireland, along with chief mechanic Jock Ross won numerous races. He donated three of his racing cars to the auto mechanics classes at Victoria High School in 1965.
O’Connor 21st Century Magnet School was named for his first wife, Junie Broussard O’Connor, who died in 1955. Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and school also were built in her memory. O’Connor was known for his support of youth activities, including Victoria County 4-H and Boy Scouts. He also organized and led the campaign to build the Victoria Community Center.
His philanthropic efforts over the years helped support numerous organizations, including Citizens Medical Center, ST. Joseph High School, Victoria Preservation, INC., the Victoria Public Library, Twin Pines Nursing Home and the Salvation Army.
He also served nearly 12 years on the Victoria County Airport Commission, resigning in 1978.
O’Connor was preceded in death by his first wife, Junie B. O’Connor, and his second wife, Jackie Gardner O’Connor; and his sister, Mary O’Connor Braman. He is survived by his daughters, Louise S. O’Connor, of Refugio County, and Kathryn O’Connor Counts, of Austin, and his brother, Dennis Martin O’Connor. He has seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
A rosary, lead by Bishop David Fellhauer, will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral for friends.
Private services will be held at St. Dennis’ Chapel on the O’Connor Ranch. Burial will be in the O’Connor Family Cemetery.
Memorials: St. Joseph High School Scholarship Fund and the Youth Home of Victoria.
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August 8, 1996-Victoria Advocate
__________________________________________________
Prominent Victorian Tom O’Connor Jr. dies at age 81
Prominent Victoria rancher, oilman, banker and philanthropist Tom O’Connor, JR. died Wednesday afternoon at Citizens Medical Center.
O’Connor, 81, was senior chairman of the board of Victoria Bank & Trust Co. an its holding company, Victoria Bankshares, Inc. until their merger earlier this year with Norwest Corp.
On Wednsday evening, friends and colleagues paid tribute to a generous man and great leader.
“Tom was a great Texan and an important part of our Texas heritage,” said Gov. George W. Bush. “He was a fine and decent man, and we will miss him sorely.”
State Comptroller John Sharp, a Placedo native, said, “Everybody that’s ever lived in Victoria and the Coastal Bend has been positively affected by Tom O’Connor. He was a builder and Victoria would look a whole lot different if O’Connor had not been born.”
Victoria County Judge Helen Walker said she grew up on a farm close to the O’Connor ranch near McFaddin. “From my earliest memory, Tom O’Connor Jr. has been a positive force in the county and the community. From the county’s viewpoint, he has been a supporter, a benefactor for many, many county projects over the years. On behalf of all Victoria County, I would extend my deepest sympathy to his family. He has been a personal friend, and he will be truly missed.”
“I don’t know that words can describe the loss,” said Mayor Gary Middleton, who called O’Connor a true community leader. “His loss will be felt throughout the community, not only for his support of the city of Victoria and the county, but for its youth through the things he has one for the community over the years.”
Ted Reed, former mayor of Victoria, expressed his sadness at the loss of a friend and confidant. “We have lost a valuable citizen of our community,” Reed said, “one who was always generous with his time, his talent, and his treasure to benefit his fellow man, a man who had the respect and admiration of an entire community.”
O’Connor, who served on the Victoria College board of trustees since 1979, had chaired the building committee for many years, said VC President Jimmy Goodson. The $12 million building program take to the voters in 1989 bond election resulted largely from O’Connor’s leadership and guidance, he said. “The public passed it overwhelmingly which was in no small part due to the confidence his support engendered in the public,” Goodson said.
Born into a South Texas pioneer family, O’Connor was the great-grandson of the Thomas O’Connor who emigrated from Ireland and received 650-acre land grant in 1836 for fighting in the Texas war for independence from Mexico.
[Mr. O’Connor was born March 6, 1915 to Thomas and Kathryn Stoner O’Connor. O’Connor graduated from Victoria College in the mid-1930s. IN 1939 he was named to V B&T’s board of directors. He was also founding director of Victoria Bankshares. In 1942, he became the manager of O’Connor Brothers ranches, and ran them with only two ranch hands during World War II. He owned the Victoria Rosebuds, professional baseball team which won the 1959 Texas League championship. He disbanded the team after suffering a heart attack in 1960. He also owned the Rosebud professional auto racing team, whose drivers Stirling Moss and Innes Ireland, along with chief mechanic Jock Ross won numerous races. He donated three of his racing cars to the auto mechanics classes at Victoria High School in 1965.
O’Connor 21st Century Magnet School was named for his first wife, Junie Broussard O’Connor, who died in 1955. Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and school also were built in her memory. O’Connor was known for his support of youth activities, including Victoria County 4-H and Boy Scouts. He also organized and led the campaign to build the Victoria Community Center.
His philanthropic efforts over the years helped support numerous organizations, including Citizens Medical Center, ST. Joseph High School, Victoria Preservation, INC., the Victoria Public Library, Twin Pines Nursing Home and the Salvation Army.
He also served nearly 12 years on the Victoria County Airport Commission, resigning in 1978.
O’Connor was preceded in death by his first wife, Junie B. O’Connor, and his second wife, Jackie Gardner O’Connor; and his sister, Mary O’Connor Braman. He is survived by his daughters, Louise S. O’Connor, of Refugio County, and Kathryn O’Connor Counts, of Austin, and his brother, Dennis Martin O’Connor. He has seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
A rosary, lead by Bishop David Fellhauer, will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral for friends.
Private services will be held at St. Dennis’ Chapel on the O’Connor Ranch. Burial will be in the O’Connor Family Cemetery.
Memorials: St. Joseph High School Scholarship Fund and the Youth Home of Victoria.
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Prominent Victorian Tom O’Connor Jr. dies at age 81
Prominent Victoria rancher, oilman, banker and philanthropist Tom O’Connor, JR. died Wednesday afternoon at Citizens Medical Center.
O’Connor, 81, was senior chairman of the board of Victoria Bank & Trust Co. an its holding company, Victoria Bankshares, Inc. until their merger earlier this year with Norwest Corp.
On Wednsday evening, friends and colleagues paid tribute to a generous man and great leader.
“Tom was a great Texan and an important part of our Texas heritage,” said Gov. George W. Bush. “He was a fine and decent man, and we will miss him sorely.”
State Comptroller John Sharp, a Placedo native, said, “Everybody that’s ever lived in Victoria and the Coastal Bend has been positively affected by Tom O’Connor. He was a builder and Victoria would look a whole lot different if O’Connor had not been born.”
Victoria County Judge Helen Walker said she grew up on a farm close to the O’Connor ranch near McFaddin. “From my earliest memory, Tom O’Connor Jr. has been a positive force in the county and the community. From the county’s viewpoint, he has been a supporter, a benefactor for many, many county projects over the years. On behalf of all Victoria County, I would extend my deepest sympathy to his family. He has been a personal friend, and he will be truly missed.”
“I don’t know that words can describe the loss,” said Mayor Gary Middleton, who called O’Connor a true community leader. “His loss will be felt throughout the community, not only for his support of the city of Victoria and the county, but for its youth through the things he has one for the community over the years.”
Ted Reed, former mayor of Victoria, expressed his sadness at the loss of a friend and confidant. “We have lost a valuable citizen of our community,” Reed said, “one who was always generous with his time, his talent, and his treasure to benefit his fellow man, a man who had the respect and admiration of an entire community.”
O’Connor, who served on the Victoria College board of trustees since 1979, had chaired the building committee for many years, said VC President Jimmy Goodson. The $12 million building program take to the voters in 1989 bond election resulted largely from O’Connor’s leadership and guidance, he said. “The public passed it overwhelmingly which was in no small part due to the confidence his support engendered in the public,” Goodson said.
Born into a South Texas pioneer family, O’Connor was the great-grandson of the Thomas O’Connor who emigrated from Ireland and received 650-acre land grant in 1836 for fighting in the Texas war for independence from Mexico.
[Mr. O’Connor was born March 6, 1915 to Thomas and Kathryn Stoner O’Connor. O’Connor graduated from Victoria College in the mid-1930s. IN 1939 he was named to V B&T’s board of directors. He was also founding director of Victoria Bankshares. In 1942, he became the manager of O’Connor Brothers ranches, and ran them with only two ranch hands during World War II. He owned the Victoria Rosebuds, professional baseball team which won the 1959 Texas League championship. He disbanded the team after suffering a heart attack in 1960. He also owned the Rosebud professional auto racing team, whose drivers Stirling Moss and Innes Ireland, along with chief mechanic Jock Ross won numerous races. He donated three of his racing cars to the auto mechanics classes at Victoria High School in 1965.
O’Connor 21st Century Magnet School was named for his first wife, Junie Broussard O’Connor, who died in 1955. Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and school also were built in her memory. O’Connor was known for his support of youth activities, including Victoria County 4-H and Boy Scouts. He also organized and led the campaign to build the Victoria Community Center.
His philanthropic efforts over the years helped support numerous organizations, including Citizens Medical Center, ST. Joseph High School, Victoria Preservation, INC., the Victoria Public Library, Twin Pines Nursing Home and the Salvation Army.
He also served nearly 12 years on the Victoria County Airport Commission, resigning in 1978.
O’Connor was preceded in death by his first wife, Junie B. O’Connor, and his second wife, Jackie Gardner O’Connor; and his sister, Mary O’Connor Braman. He is survived by his daughters, Louise S. O’Connor, of Refugio County, and Kathryn O’Connor Counts, of Austin, and his brother, Dennis Martin O’Connor. He has seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
A rosary, lead by Bishop David Fellhauer, will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral for friends.
Private services will be held at St. Dennis’ Chapel on the O’Connor Ranch. Burial will be in the O’Connor Family Cemetery.
Memorials: St. Joseph High School Scholarship Fund and the Youth Home of Victoria.
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