Thomas James O’Connorm of Largo, Fla., was born on September 26, 1936 in the Bronx, New York to Thomas and Anna (Boyle) O’Connor. He passed away on January 23, 2018 at Morton Plant Hospital. Family He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years Patricia O’Connor; son Thomas O’Connor, Jr.; and two grandchildren Katherine and Thomas O’Connor III. Life After graduation from high school he attended The Citadel, where he graduated at the top of his class leading to a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force. From there he continued onto Vanderbilt University where he earned his PhD in Physics. His next stop lead him the Amarillo Air Force Base in Texas for three years of flying experience and eventually being assigned to the B-52 nuclear bomb. Then it was on to the Air Force Academy in Colorado where he was a physics professor. While there, he volunteered to be officer in charge of the cadet SCUBA club. He was also selected as the Most Outstanding Faculty Member two years in a row. Colonel O’Connor’s vast military career has included 30 hour alert and attack missions over the North pole in B-52 Bombers, flying with the F-105 Wild Weasels in Vietnam and a combat mission in an F4-E fighter air craft in Vietnam that exploded and had him officially listed as deceased according military personnel and unfortunately his family for four hours. He also worked in the White House for many assignments under three Presidents including the Office of the Secretary of Defense as Deputy Undersecretary of Secretary of Defense for Technology Transfer. After his retirement he spent 20 years working for the Central Intelligence Agency. Military Awards and Decorations At the time of his retirement, Colonel O’Connor was eligible to wear the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, Meritorious Service Medal, four Air Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals, four Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, Combat Readiness Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, five Vietnam Service Medals, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the Air Force Training Ribbon, two Republic of Vietnam Gallantry with Cross awards and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal on his uniform. Services A graveside service with military honors provided by the United States Air Force is still in the process of scheduling at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Friends, family, and those who served with Thomas are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.
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Posted on: 2018-01-31
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