Paul J. "PJ" O'Connor Jr.

Paul James “P.J.” O'Connor Jr., was born to Paul James O'Connor Sr. and Eileen Frances (Brown) O'Connor on November 13, 1967 at the Fillmore County Hospital in Geneva, Nebraska and passed away on November 10, 2022 at the Fillmore County Hospital in Geneva, Nebraska at the age of 54 years, 11 months and 28 days. He was the youngest of 5 children in the family. PJ. was a graduate of Fairmont high school's Class of 1986. Upon graduation he returned to be the 4th generation on the family farm. On August 15, 1992, he was united in marriage to Nancy Teaford of rural McCool Junction, Nebraska at St. Helena's Catholic Church in Grafton, Nebraska. To this union, 2 sons were born, Derek and Tyler. P.J.'s father, Paul, would always say that his son got his "heir and a spare.” In our house, it was said that P.J. was a cattleman and a farmer, and in that order. His cattle were his passion. He thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of each calving season. Watching newborn baby calves and seeing them finish in the feed yard was one of his greatest pleasures in life. As a farmer, he enjoyed the seasons, but harvest and driving the combine was his favorite. He respected the land and the hard-work it took for the generations that came before him. He took much pride and joy in building his legacy. P.J. had many endeavors outside of the farm. He was a longtime youth football coach, where he impacted the lives of many youths across the local area. In addition to football, he spent the summers coaching baseball and the winters coaching basketball. He served on the Board of Education for Fillmore Central Public Schools for 8 years, 3 of them as president. PJ. was also instrumental in the creation of the FC Beef Boosters program. His efforts helped bring locally raised and high-quality beef to the students of the district. PJ. was preceded in death by his parents Paul & Eileen (Brown) O'Connor of Fairmont, Nebraska; and parents-in-law Kenneth & DeAnna (Ronne) Teaford of McCool Junction, Nebraska. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Nancy, and sons, Derek and Tyler O'Connor all of Fairmont, Nebraska; his sisters and brothers-in-law Nancy and Warren Whitted of Omaha, Nebraska, Lindy O'Connor of Lincoln, Nebraska, Peggy and Bill Swanson of Omaha, Nebraska, and Patsy and Tom Rohrig of Friend, Nebraska. A Funeral Mass for P.J was held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Helena Catholic Church. Father Doug Daro presided over the Mass. Deb Hoarty accompanied the congregation in the singing of “Faith Of Our Fathers,” “Here I Am Lord,” “One Bread, One Body,” and “How Great Thou Art.” Pallbearers included Tom Hoarty, Dan Hastings, Dustin Clark, Warren R. Whitted III, Brad Gloystein, Phil Swartz, and Ken Real. A private family Graveside Service was held in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, York, Nebraska. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.

Tributes

Paul J. "PJ" O'Connor Jr.

November 13, 1967 - November 10, 2022