Timothy Dennis O'Connell

February 11, 1950 – May 26, 2022

Captain Timothy Dennis O’Connell (USN, Ret.) passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 26th, 2022 in Collierville, Tennessee.

Timothy “Tim” Dennis O’Connell was born to Robert and Emelia O’Connell in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on February 11, 1950, the youngest of their 5 children. As a child Tim was smart, adventurous and an avid dreamer—traits that carried him to great places in his life. He attended Pine Bluff High School, where he was a talented football player and proudly played for the Pine Bluff Zebras (#31) earning Arkansas All-State honors. He graduated Pine Bluff High School in 1968.

Tim then was recruited by the United States Navy to continue his football career. Gaining admission to the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in 1968, he played for the Navy Fighting Goats as a running fullback (#28). Tim graduated with the Class of 1972 as a member of the 27th Company. During his time as a Midshipman, Tim formed several lifelong friendships and he always looked forward to their reunions and retelling of stories.

Following his graduation, Tim attended naval flight school in Pensacola, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas, where he graduated in the top 10% of his flight class, earning his Gold Wings. Shortly after graduation, Tim married Cassie Green, his beloved wife, in March 1975 while stationed in Honolulu, HI.

During his career in the Navy, Tim flew numerous missions as Commander of a Lockheed P-3 Orion finding and tracking enemy submarines. In 1978, his last active-duty assignment was in Patrol Squadron THIRTY, Jacksonville, Florida as a P-3 Instructor Pilot. His duty stations included Honolulu, Hawaii; Jacksonville, Florida; and finally, retiring from reserve duty, Millington, Tennessee.

Tim transitioned from active duty to the naval reserves in 1980, briefly flying for Air Florida Inc. and Peoples Express airlines before relocating to Collierville, Tennessee as a pilot for FedEx. Tim retired from FedEx in 2015 after 27 years of dedicated service.

Tim will be dearly missed by his beloved wife of 47 years, Cassie; their three children, Kevin (Mandy), Shane (Rebecca), and Katie, and three adored grandchildren, Aiden, Nolan and Mauren, two siblings Michaella “Mike” and husband Don Curran (dec.), Robert “Bobby” and his wife Linda, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Emelia, sister Patricia “Pat” Bowers and husband Dick, brother Edward “Eddie” and wife Neva.

A devout Catholic, Tim was a parishioner of the Catholic Church of the Incarnation in Collierville, Tennessee for 37 years where he faithfully attended Mass.

Tim’s greatest joys in life centered around his family. A genuinely devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, he was loved and admired for his great wit, impeccable character, and love of laughter. He was an animated storyteller and a jokester at heart. A true sports buff, he loved Tiger tailgating (GO NAVY!) and seldom did he miss the opportunity to watch his grandsons excel in all things soccer. An avid outdoors man, he enjoyed skiing with his family, fishing with his grandsons and boating on Pickwick Lake. One of his many hobbies was his garden and he tended to it with an engineer’s precision. If he wasn’t in the garden, you could find him on the deck with one of his signature margaritas in hand. A keen enthusiast of the Navy and aviation, financial ventures, meteorology and travelling, he was also a student of history and immensely proud of his Irish heritage. Tim was well-read, well-traveled and much loved. Known for his stubborn antics, fierce spirit, and generous heart, Tim will be missed beyond words.

A Funeral Mass will be conducted Monday, June 6, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at Catholic Church of Incarnation. The family will visit with friends Monday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church.

The family will receive friends on Monday, June 6, 2022 from 10 a.m. until 11a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m.; all at Catholic Church of the Incarnation. 360 Bray Station Road, Collierville, Tennessee. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene, Memphis, Tennessee 38125

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to stjude.org and woundedwarriorproject.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colliervillefuneral.com for the O'Connell family.