Timothy Kevin O'Connor

Kennewick, Wash.

Timothy Kevin O'Connor was blessed with an amazing ability to connect with people. When they met him, his confident demeanor and charm quickly turned strangers into friends.

Tim had a way with people; he listened to them, he counseled them, he understood them, and most importantly he made them feel good about themselves.

Those who knew him as a father, son, friend or counselor will deeply miss him.

Tim was born on October 21st, 1951, in Portland, Oregon, the youngest son of Bill and Violet O'Connor.

Along with his two older brothers, Pat and Bob, he spent his childhood years helping run the family dairy in Stevenson, WA.

After his early morning milk route, Tim spent the latter part of his high school days excelling as a standout athlete lettering in basketball, football, and even pioneering the school's first golf team. His athletic ability continued into college, as he played basketball at Columbia Basin College, aiding in their pursuit of a national title.

Tim graduated from Washington State University in 1974, earning a bachelor's degree in sociology, and a masters degree in counseling.

After college, he began helping troubled youth in a group home where he worked for 21Ú2 years. Knowing that helping people was what he did best, Tim landed a job as a school counselor at Columbia High School in Burbank, WA.

For 17 years, he used his unique ability in a number of ways; helping kids through tough times, aiding in their career planning, or simply going to bat for them when no one else would. Students liked him, students trusted him, and he cared about them.

Tim married Becky Simpson in 1974, and became the father of three. His sons, Kevin and Kenny, and his daughter, Katie, were always his focus in life.

Through his family, Tim enjoyed many happy years watching them grow, cruising around in his Mustang blasting music with the top down, taking family trips to the Oregon Coast, and gathering yearly on the Columbia River for the boat races.

In August of 1995, Tim was in a devastating motorcycle accident that ended his counseling career. Though he would never be quite the same again, his true self would occasionally shine through and his love for his children remained the most important part of his life.

Tim passed away of natural causes at his home in Kennewick, WA, on January 8th, 2006.

Since Tim requested that there be no funeral, his family urges you to send stories, condolences, or whatever you feel like saying to wewillmissyoutim@ yahoo.com.