John Patrick Connor, of Overland Park, passed away on November 19, 2015, after a long illness.
Funeral Mass will be at 4:30 pm on Friday, December 4th at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W 127th St, in Overland Park with visitation from 3:30-4:30.
John Patrick was born in Kansas City, MO, the son of William and Helen (Buford) Connor. He grew up in Garden City, NY and Prairie Village, KS. John, also known as “Pat” to most of his family, graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School where he played in all of the bands and orchestras. He also played in the Kansas City Youth Symphony. JP earned a music education degree from Wichita State University and a law degree from the University of Kansas. He obtained his CPCU designation and spent much of his career as a claims attorney and claims director. JP stayed active in music, playing trombone with the Overland Park Orchestra for nearly 30 years. He also played with other area bands and orchestras and sang in the Ascension Choir.
JP loved sports and history. He especially enjoyed researching family history and was once featured in the Star for his work with the Lenexa Historical Society. JP made friends easily and enjoyed intellectual discourse with others on a wide variety of topics.
John Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Mike, his beloved aunts and uncles Genny and George O’Laughlin, Mary (Pum) and Phil Koury, Betty and Jim Monahan, Patricia Fitzgerald, Jody Kellerman and James Wellington Buford. He was married for 29 years to Cynthia Goodwin Connor. In addition to Cynthia, John Patrick is survived by sons Jack of Chicago and Timothy of Overland Park, brother Chris (Kathie) Connor of Cherry Hill, NJ, sister Pam (Mark) Jones of Marion, KS, sister-in-law Charmaine Connor of Lenexa, aunt Ruthie (Don) Scheier, uncle Larry Fitzgerald, nine nieces and nephews and many cousins. He is also survived by his aunt Alice Campbell who provided a loving home for JP and his sister Pam after the death of their parents. John Patrick was much loved and will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank JP’s cousin Brian O’Laughlin of Funeral Advocates for his assistance with arrangements.
Love and joy in the memory of our beloved cousin, Pat. Such a great smile!
With John’s christian spirit and love for Christ, he inspired many of us who attended a “Christ Renews His Parish” retreat and follow-on meetings with him this year. John’s words will be missed, but his choir singing will be enjoyed by all in heaven.
Cynthia,
We are so sorry for your loss. The last time we saw you and John was in Chicago at Shed’s Aquarium. So sorry he had to go through the long illness. He will truly be missed. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
John was a great inspiration to many in our parish, and provided much insight on scripture, music and what it means to be Irish. He will be missed by all.
Such a wonderful man. May he be greeted by St. Cecilia and all the angels of the heavenly choir.
I only knew John for a very brief time having come to know him through a church retreat in the fall of 2015. However, I could tell right off the bat that he had a great story to share, one which will impact not only myself and but many others well into the future. I was very thankful for this opportunity for our paths to have crossed each other in life.
I wanted to say how thankful I am to have known John. I met him 1 and a half years ago when he became a vocal student of mine. His attitude was delightful and he worked hard as he found more of his true singing voice. He always had an Irish song to share with me and on St. Patrick’s Day he was “dressed to the hilt”! : ) I am honored to have been a small part of his life for a time. Blessings to the family.