Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Jack O'Connor Question

What happened to his oldest son Jerry? I was reading a couple of his books this week and noticed he dedicated one to Brad and went on to mention his 2 daughters. In an earlier book there are multiple pics of Jerry & Brad.

From what I remember, I believe Jerry died in 1968.

IIRC, it was late in 1969 that he died. Tragic loss.

Suicide comes to mind....but I may be wrong.

IIRC I've read that there was some disconnect between the two but have no idea to what degree or what it was about. I did read somewhere that Jerry served in the army (Korea?)and that had some effect (depression??) on him. The comment went on to say it was one of the bigger regrets on JOC's life.

It seems like I remember something about drugs and alcohol.

Robert Anderson's book covers what happened to Jerry. A very sad case. If you are an O'Connor fan and don't have this book, you are missing out on a lot of information.

He then enrolled at the University of Missouri, where he earned a Master's Degree in English/Journalism. While there, he met and married Eleanor Barry who became his lifelong hunting companion and mother of their four children: Jerry O'Connor, Bradford O'Connor, Catherine O�Connor and Caroline O'Connor McCullum. Jerry died in 1968, followed by Catherine in 2007.

http://www.jack-oconnor.org/oldsite/faq/faq.htm

O'CONNOR, GERALD BARRY
PVT US ARMY
KOREA
DATE OF BIRTH: 11/22/1930
DATE OF DEATH: 12/23/1969

Jerry is buried in the military cemetery in El Paso Texas. You can find his burial spot online. I think he was maybe the last man left in his squad in Korea. After he came back he was changed and drifted aimlessly. They did not know he had died until Brad sent him a Christmas present and it came back marked deceased. It is a very sad story and hurt the O'Connors deeply. Thanks...Bill.

sad indeed!

Thanks for filling in the blank. I noticed this a few years ago but it just occured to me to post the question here this week. That is indeed very sad. Makes you wonder how many people have been affected by war that way...

Bill

What is the title of Robert Anderson's book?

http://www.amazon.com/Jack-OConnor-Robert-Anderson/dp/1571572546

It's an interesting read if you're a devoted O'Connor fan---not unlike The Sword and the Spirit for Jeff Cooper fans.

Thanks for the link.
Been meaning to purchase one for some time - and now it's on it's way.

I had read about Jerry, in a friends copy of Anderson's book.
Very sad indeed.

How ironic; I was on another forum the other day, a fellow calling himself "270bradford" had just started posting.
He was asking about a scale someone had bought that belonged to his father[JOC]. I felt like asking if he was indeed Brad, but felt a little uneasy about. He states he was in the Army also. has since retired and lives in PNW. Interesting.

BTW, the forum is "The Firingline.com".

I correspond with Bradford from time to time. He is a newspaper writer in, I believe, the Pacific NW. He's a class act.

Brad did serve in Korea with the Army, has been retired from the Seattle Times for a number of years, lives in NW. He is indeed a class act, I'm proud to call him a friend.

He is very active in promoting the Jack O'Connor Hunting Heritage and Education Center, in Lewiston, Idaho (the Jack O'Connor family home, after they moved from Arizona). The Center could use all the support it can get. Here is a link:

http://www.jack-oconnor.org/

Bradford O'Connor posted here a couple of times in the past. If I remember correctly, he was commenting on photos or questions about his parents' rifles.

Lou

Didnt JOC pass away in Hawaii?