O'Connor, Walter

Walter Patrick (Pat) O'Connor, 70, passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at the Rehab Center of Des Moines following surgery. A Grave Side Services will be held Monday August 26th, 12:30p.m. at the Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel, IA 50003. A luncheon with family and friends will be held immediately following the service at the American Legion Post 403, 910 Main Street - Van Meter, Iowa. Pat was born November 8, 1948, in Des Moines, IA, to Walter and Ruth (Bennett) O'Connor. He attended St. Joseph's Elementary School and went on to graduate from Dowling High School. Pat enjoyed sports. In his younger years he played baseball for Grandview Little League, basketball for St. Joseph's school and football for Dowling High School. As a teenager, he was one of the main attractions at Grandview Pond skating rink or East Town swimming pool. Over the years he had earned the nick name "Twinkle Toes" for his dancing ability. If there was music playing, Pat was on the dance floor. He loved watching sports and twice, to the dismay of his Doctors, checked himself out of the hospital to go home to watch the Super Bowl. After high school, Pat enlis...[more]

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in the Marine Corps and served a year in Vietnam. The specter of the Vietnam War followed Pat throughout his life. Like many of the young boys who served, he left a part of himself in Vietnam. The love of his life were his sons, Patrick and Frankie. He was excited and eagerly waiting to meet his son Greg after 53 years. He will be missed by his sons, his brothers and sister and his many nieces & nephews, who referred to Uncle Pat, as Uncle the Man, the Man the Myth, the Legend. I think Uncle Pat had a hand in some of those nickname. He was the Pied Piper with younger children and entertained them at many family gatherings. Pat is survived by his brothers, Richard (Leda) O'Connor of Sedona, AZ, Terry O'Connor (Francine) of West Des Moines, IA; sisters, Kathleen (Steve Barker) O'Connor of Chicago, IL, Colleen O'Connor of Urbandale, IA, Martina Pagano of Urbandale, IA, Debbie (Mike) Schminkey of Pleasant Hill, IA; sons, Walter Patrick O'Connor, Jr. of Pleasant Hill, IA, Frankie O'Connor of Des Moines, IA, Greg (Kathy) Duggan of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Victoria O'Connor, Zach Duggan. He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Eugene O'Connor; mother, Ruth Elvera O'Connor; and grandson, Camden Ray O'Connor. Memorial Contributions can be made to the family. ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES GRANDVIEW PARK CHAPEL. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Walter O'Connor, please visit our Tribute Store. To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.ilesfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Walter-O-Connor/Des-Moines-Iowa/1854994