Harold 'Jerry' O'Connor

HAROLD JEROME "JERRY" O'CONNOR

Cedar Rapids

Harold Jerome "Jerry" O'Connor, 79, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Philip Thompson. Visitation: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Irene; children, Patrick (Angie) O'Connor of Cedar Rapids, Jolene (Mark) Myers of Waukee, Janelle (Steve) Roe of Cedar Rapids and Janine (Brian) Glass of West Des Moines; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Jerry was born July 31, 1937, to William and Katherine (McGuire) O'Connor in Winthrop, Iowa, and grew up on the family farm. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and was a proud member of American Legion Post 298, as well as the Knights of Columbus. He married Irene Rueter on July 2, 1966, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, where they were longtime members, and enjoyed raising their family of four over the next 50 years.

A farm kid at heart, Jerry was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes as well as the Chicago Cubs. He loved watching birds of all types. He truly appreciated retirement and spent much of his time sharing stories and his deep love of history. He was a kind hearted, easy going person who never knew a stranger and never complained, smiled easily and laughed often. An Irish guy, Jerry enjoyed celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Leon O'Connor, Marian Evans and Joe O'Connor.

Memorials may be directed to Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.

Please share your support and memories with Jerry's family on his tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.