Thomas F. O'Connor

Thomas F. O'Connor, 88, of Poplar Bluff, died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007, in Poplar Bluff.

Mr. O'Connor was born in 1918, at Pierce City, Mo. His family moved to Poplar Bluff just after he was born. In his teens he was known as the ""Barn Dance King"" because of the dances he held in the barn at the O'Connor farm. Mr. O'Connor owned and operated Modern Laundry and Dry Cleaners for over 40 years. At the time of his death Mr. O'Connor had been retired for over 30 years, during which time he enjoyed raising cattle and various other farming activities.

His wife Margaret, his wife Betty and his wife Darlene preceded Mr. O'Connor in death.

Survivors include three children, Tom O'Connor, Jr., of Memphis, Tenn., Bill O'Connor, of Sierra Madre, Calif. and Linda Garnatz, of Temple Terrace, Fla.; his step-children, John S. West, Jr., Jim O'Connor, Mary Dorris and Kevin O'Connor, all of Poplar Bluff, Roger O'Connor, of St. Louis, Daniel O'Connor, of Calif., and Vicki Sisk, of Virginia; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, in Poplar Bluff with the visitation following from 6 - 8 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Monsignor Michael Swalina officiating. Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, in Poplar Bluff.

The family has requested donations be made to UCAN (United Cancer Assistance Network), 2620 North Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.