EDWARD O'CONNELL

Edward (Ed) Jay O'Connell went to his heavenly home on February 7, 2011 following a brief bout of cancer in Tucson, Arizona. Born in 1936 in Jersey City, New Jersey, Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lillian (Mount) O'Connell and a brother, James J. Ruby. Ed is survived by his wife, Ellenora, children, Barbara O'Connell, Mary Carr, Edward (Pete) O'Connell, Paul O'Connell, Terry Downs, Shere Nicholson and Yesi Koepf, 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Gloria Ruby and several nieces and nephews. Ed enlisted in the Army in 1955. Commissioned during the Vietnam War, Ed prided himself in bringing all his soldiers home following two, back-to-back tours. In 1973 Ed was decommissioned to First Sargent, in 1974 promoted to Sargent Major and in 1976 became a Command Sargent Major. Ed's commitment to his soldiers was such that while on field duty and frequently in Garrison, he served at every meal. Among his numerous awards are two purple hearts and two bronze stars. Ed retired in 1985 and worked in Security at Rockdale Medical Center a few years. A memorial service will be held at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 2375 Hway 20, Conyers, GA on February 23, 2011 at 2 PM, Pastor John Beckman officiating. His remains are interred in Soldiers Memorial Cemetery, Sierra Vista, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.