Robert O'Conor Jr.

1934 - 2023

Robert O'Conor, Jr.
06/22/1934 - 06/05/2023
Robert O'Conor, Jr. ("Bob") was born into a Hollywood lifestyle in Los Angeles on June 22, 1934. The O'Conor family returned to their roots in Laredo, Texas, when Bob was twelve years old.

After graduating from Martin High School in Laredo, he attended both college and law school at The University of Texas. He played tennis on UT's freshman team, sang bass on UT's Men's Choir, and wrote for UT's satirical periodical, The Texas Ranger. After graduating with his law degree, Bob served in the U.S Army as a Captain and JAG Officer.

Bob returned to Laredo to practice law, trying 100s of cases. Bob eventually became Webb County's Republican Party Chairman and served on the Texas State Republican Executive Committee. He established Webb County's Young Republicans.

In 1975, Bob was appointed as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas by President Gerald Ford. He reduced the backlog of federal criminal cases in the Southern District of Texas and eventually served in the Houston Division. He facilitated the desegregation of the Houston public schools and the Texas prison system. In 1984, Bob left the bench to return to private practice.

Helen Dryden O'Conor, his loving wife, gave Bob three children: Cathleen O'Conor Stern, Aileen O'Conor Latcham, and Thomas Edward O'Conor. His first marriage also produced three children: Anne Frances O'Conor (dec., 1980); Robert Daniel O'Conor; and Elizabeth Christine O'Conor. When Bob passed, he had six grandchildren: Robert Reid O'Conor; Allison Anne O'Conor; Griffin Scott O'Conor; Charlotte Ann Stern; Ethan Robert Stern; and Isabella Ray Latcham.

Bob lived a full life, doing what he loved. He'd watch his kids and grandchildren interact and gifted all of them with fine senses of humor teaching them that laughter really was the best medicine. Bob's services will be held in Laredo, TX, on Saturday, June 24, 2023.