Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Thomas O'Connor Obituary
O'Connor, Thomas "Tom" Patrick
passed away Thursday, December 14, 2023, after a long illness.
Beloved husband of Diane (Daugherty) O'Connor; cherished son of the late Cain and Julia O'Connor; proud father of Ryan (Barb) O'Connor, Kevin (Tess) O'Connor, and the late Kenneth O'Connor; loving grandfather of Griffin O'Connor, Cullen O'Connor, Quinn O'Connor, Ciaran O'Connor, Lena O'Connor, and Aidan Gansner; dear brother of Cain (Gayla) O'Connor, Daniel O'Connor, Catherine Koch, Margaret Shackelford, Theresa King, the late Sheila Britton, and the late Mary Miller.
Tom loved to gather with everyone in his "O'Connor Clan", especially when he visited the birthplace of his parents, County Kerry. His beautiful tenor voice, heard in many pubs throughout the States and Ireland, is legendary.
From 1962 to 1966, Tom proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps and saw combat in Vietnam. For the rest of his life, he lived by the Marine Corps values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.
In 1966, began his law enforcement career in the Ladue Police Department. In 1968, he joined the Metropolitan St. Louis Police Department, and in 1980, he joined the Illinois Department of Criminal Investigation. In 1985, he returned to Missouri to serve the Maryland Heights Department, where he ultimately served as Chief of Police until his retirement in 2012. Throughout his career, Tom earned recognition for expertise in criminal investigation and taught courses to police agencies throughout the country.
Immediately after retirement, he volunteered to honor his brothers in the military by becoming a member of the Honor Guard at the Jefferson National Military Cemetery. After serving over 650 funerals, health reasons forced him to retire.
He is cherished by his family, respected in the law enforcement community, and to his beloved Marine Corps, he is proclaiming from Heaven, "Semper Fi".
Services: Funeral from Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois Rd., on Wednesday, December 20, 9:15 a.m. to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell Blvd., for a 10:00 a.m. Mass. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Make a Donation
in Thomas O'Connor's name
Memorial Events
for Thomas O'Connor
Dec
19
Visitation
2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Kutis Funeral Home, Inc, Affton Chapel10151 Gravois Road, Saint Louis, MO 63123
Dec
20
Funeral services provided by:
Kutis Funeral Home, Inc, Affton Chapel10151 Gravois Road, Saint Louis, MO 63123
How to support Thomas's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Thomas O'Connor's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
