David Thomas O'Connor

1942 - 2021

David Thomas O'Connor
02/24/1942 - 04/20/2021
David Thomas O'Connor " DOC" of Bullard, TX passed away peacefully, surrounded by family in his home, on April 20, 2021. David lived a full life surrounded with his cherished family and his beautiful English Pointer Bird Dogs and Tennessee Walker Horses. His Family is truly grateful for the precious time and love they shared with him.
David was born on February 24, 1942 in Carbondale, Pennsylvania to Thomas Lynch O'Connor and Helen Lepre O'Connor. His mother was a first generation Italian immigrant and his father was a first generation Irish immigrant. His family lived in Carbondale, Pennsylvania during his early childhood years and he attended Columbus Elementary School until the family moved to Newark, New Jersey. It was during this young timeframe he fell in love with sports and his entrepreneur mind found its legs, quite literally. At the tender age of nine he started his first business venture; he opened a shoeshine business in front of a local A&P grocery store, 25 cents a shine. The family then moved to Stroudsburg, PA when he was in the seventh grade. Always a hard worker, David started a new venture as a caddy for Stroudsburg's Glenbrook Golf Club while in the seventh grade and it was there his love for the game of golf began to take root. With hard work and determination later in life David became a semi pro-golfer. You can still see his name on the Club Championship Plaques lining entry halls at Glenbrook Country Club. It was there that he had his very first Hole in One, on the 14th Hole. He often spoken of the beautiful view off the 14th hole and its crystal clear water running down its creek and how good it tasted. David went on to graduate from Stroudsburg High School where he had an outstanding career as a standout star baseball player and star football player. He was also the Captain of his football team.
After graduation he went onto to become a licensed Stock Broker and then a licensed Real Estate Broker. He was also the owner and operator of a popular restaurant in Stroudsburg by the name of Old Town Tavern. David's leadership and entrepreneur skills eventually led him to take a position with a newly formed vacation real estate company in Tyler, Texas in the early 1980s. He rose through the ranks quickly with the new company where he was a vital part in building the company into a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. As Executive Vice President of Sales he built a world class sales team and held that position over 30 plus years. His legacy is that of an entirely self-made man of many achievements. His was of strong character, kind and helpful to his family and many other people. He not only developed the sales organization of a vacation ownership company, he trained the marketing - sales staff and helped many people develop a successful professional life. David's spirit will live on in the memory of all that knew and loved him and all the lives he helped to enrich.
David took great pride in his seven daughters and his grandchildren who he adored. He treasured walking each one down the aisle on their wedding day. He relished every opportunity to enjoy his growing family. Outside of his family and his career, David's real passion in life was his Championship birddogs. At his home in Texas; Magnolia Farm, he bred and raised Tennessee Walking horses and English Pointer Birddogs. He owned two National Championships winners in the American Field Trial all age bird dog
Circuit: Shell Creek Coin and Connor's Easy Button. He also won the prestigious Purina all age dog of the year award, with those same two dogs. David and his birddogs were known and respected throughout the country, his name was often listed in The American Field Trial Publications when one of his dogs won or placed at a field trial. His home was filled with hand painted portraits of his champion dogs that were awarded to him along with silver trophies and championship saddles when his dogs would take first place. He displayed them proudly as they were his pride and joy in life.
After retirement David became well known in his community for "Dave's Texas Style BBQ Ribs". He was definitely the Family's Gourmet Chef specializing in his famous BBQ ribs, brisket, steaks and smoked pork for all of his family and friends to enjoy. He taught his friend Stanley the real of secrets of Texas BBQ Ribs!
David was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Lynch O'Connor and Helen Lepre O'Connor.
Those left to cherish David's memory and legacy are his beloved daughters; Helen O'Connor Ludwig and her husband Robert Ludwig of Stroudsburg; Davey Ann O'Connor Miller and her husband Glen Miller, Davey Ann's children Teri Lynn Rose O'Connor and Madelyn Rae O'Connor; Great-grandchildren Isabella O'Connor Englert and Tobias Carroll of Stroudsburg; Jacqey O'Connor of Stroudsburg; Reagan O'Connor Williamson and her husband Charles Raegan Williamson, their son's Charles O'Connor Williamson and Jack Wylam Williamson of McConnells, SC; Lindsay O'Connor Reusche and her husband Jeff Reusche of Athens Georgia; Teri Fellman O'Connor Dellaria and her husband Jim Dellaria their son James Dellaria and daughter Dorathea Dellaria of Delaware Water Gap Pa.; Tricia Fellman her companion Bob Fish of Delaware Water Gap Pa.; Sisters Diane O'Connor Taylor and her husband Richard Taylor of Roswell, NM; Donna O'Connor Potis of Carbondale, PA; Judy O'Connor of Carbondale, PA; Debbie O'Connor Bognatz of Browndale, PA; Steve Warhola and his wife Jeannie Warhola of Archbald, PA; David also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, special long time friends and special business associates.
A Celebration Mass of David's life will be held July 10, 2021 at 9:30am Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Carbondale, Pennsylvania followed by Interment at Mother of Sorrows in Finch Hill, Pennsylvania.
In Lieu of flowers, if anyone would like to make a contribution in his honor please do so at your local Kidney or Heart associations, or Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church or a charity of your choice.
Until we meet again we'll miss you dearly. I bet you already have a Championship English Pointer Bird Dog and Hole in One!
Rest in Peace David, see you later.