John Patrick O'Connell

John Patrick O'Connell, 66, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 surrounded by his loving family at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. A visitation will be held on Monday, March 26, 2018 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care, 302 S. 2nd Street in Polk City, Iowa. A celebration of life service will follow the visitation and begin at 7:00 p.m. A time of fellowship will follow his services. Burial at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines, Iowa will be held at a later date. John was born in Des Moines, Iowa on May 2, 1951 to James and Mary (McIlhon) O'Connell. He grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Dowling High School with the class of 1969. John being a hippie and a free spirit relocated to Boulder, Colorado after school. He then returned to Iowa after a short stay where he met and married Susan Chance. The couple had a daughter (Shannon) together, but were later divorced. In 1983 John then married Connie Milne, and the couple resided in Des Moines where John opened his first guitar shop, Last Chance Guitars which later became Crazy Horse Guitars. Music was a huge part of John's life, his shop became a hang out for all typ...[more]

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of musicians, young and old alike. For Johns close friends Saturdays had became known as the "AARP Club" where they enjoyed coffee, jammin' and lively conversation. John enjoyed hosting concerts in support of local talent. He could play a variety of instruments and had a great ear for music, and had recently taught himself to play the piano. Over the years, John was a part of many different bands including Hybrid Pig, Still Morning, and more recently Young Guns. John had always been a part of the hippie movement and a strong advocate for the legalization of marijuana. He also enjoyed watching sci-fi shows as well as the news channels and had a strong and heartfelt opinion about our current political atmosphere. Those left in the band to play on without John; are his children Shannon O'Connell of Des Moines, IA, Shellie (Jeff) Smaha of Johnston, IA, and Laura (Rob) Shetler of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren Chelsea, Kristine, Josh (Amber), Amber, Ryan, Tyler, Shavaughn, Kaylee, and Nadia; 5 great-grandchildren; siblings Mary Kay Edgerton of Denver, CO, James O'Connell of Seattle, WA, Daniel (Yvonne) O'Connell of Oceanside, CA, Patricia (Wayne) Koreyasu of Seattle, WA, Kevin O'Connell of Des Moines, IA, and Joseph (Janice) O'Connell of Vista, CA; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Mary Ethel O'Connell, wife Connie O'Connell, and brother's Michael and Thomas O'Connell. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Polk City has been entrusted with the care of John and his family.