Jordan Winters O'Connell

Jordan was born in San Antonio, Texas on September 16, 1986 to Scott and CeCelia Stone O’Connell. He spent his early childhood in San Antonio and moved to Houston in 1998. He graduated from The Kinkaid School in 2005 and went on to study at Louisiana State University and graduated from the University of Houston. A few years ago, his heart brought him back to school where he earned his LCDC, enabling him to help many people on their road to recovery. Recently, he began a successful employment relationship with Lightening Step, where he could leverage that experience and his education.

A natural athlete, he grew up playing many sports but in high school really excelled at baseball in particular. After high school, golf became his passion. He loved sharing that passion with his younger cousins not only by teaching them how to play the game, but also buying them their first set of clubs and instilling in them a love of the game. But golf was not his only interest. As an avid outdoorsman he loved to fish, hunt, ride horses, and spend as much time as possible at the family’s ranch in South Texas. You could almost always find him exploring The Stone Ranch along the Rio Grande riding his well loved mini bike whenever possible.

Some of his most cherished memories were holidays spent at the Stone Ranch with his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and especially his cousins. They called themselves the “Cousins Six” and he shared a close bond with each one of them and later, even with their children. They were the ones who nicknamed him “Funcle” (Fun Uncle) and they absolutely loved and adored him!

Jordan frequently visited his Stone grandparents, Mimi and Papa, at their home in Corpus Christi, Texas. He treasured his time with them, and they spent countless hours swimming and golfing at the Corpus Christi Country Club, and driving to Port Aransas for sunset dinners and beach cruises. He took great care of Mimi and Papa until their passing

His O’Connell aunts, uncles, cousins and Mimi O were another very special part of Jordan’s life. He spent his time with them in San Antonio, the Texas Hill Country, and at the lake. He especially loved going with the family to the O’Connell Ranch in Blanco, Texas, where many hours were spent laughing and joking around the pool, playing tennis, eating fabulous family cooked meals, and swimming in the Blanco River.

Jordan had an infectious smile, a larger than life personality, and a laugh that would spark joy in anyone within earshot. He loved to tell jokes (usually, “dad” jokes that would elicit a groan), and never met a stranger. His zest for life was contagious, and he was always up for an adventure. One of the greatest things about Jordan was how much he loved his family and friends, and he told them that often.

A loyal friend to many, his best friends meant the world to him. Each year he looked forward to their annual golf trip to different courses around the United States. They traveled to each other’s ranches where mornings and evenings were spent hunting, and nights were spent gathered around the grill cooking dinner, joking, enjoying conversation and making memories for a lifetime. He spoke often and highly of those friends, and he truly loved them. Jordan would drop anything he was doing to be there for them at a moment’s notice. He was a great listener and spent much of his life helping others.

An integral part of the O’Connell and Stone families, Jordan would check in with his loved ones frequently. He would often send texts to family members just to let them know he was thinking about them, praying for them, missing them, or to let them know he would be “driving to come see them soon.” He never missed an important family event, attending every young cousin’s baptism, first birthday, and all their important milestones.

Jordan is survived by his parents, Scott and CeCelia Stone O’Connell; his grandmother, Betty Howell O’Connell; his aunts and uncles Debra Stone Gertz and Susan Spalter, Richard Bryan Stone, Jr. (Bess), cousins Glen Marshal Gertz (Brittany), Emily Stone Wheeler (Patrick), Sarah Stone Teten (William), and Andrew John Stone; younger cousins Willa, Luke and Sarita Wheeler and Catherine, John and Bess Teten.

Also surviving Jordan are his aunts and uncles Charity O’Connell Cox (Wally), Warren Thomas O’Connell, Wayne Allan O’Connell, Barbie Sumner O’Connell, Dee Werner O’Connell, Arch Adams and Robert Lynn Howell (Ruann), cousins John Christopher O’Connell, Patricia Anne O’Connell, Donald Patrick Yarbrough, Mollie Yarbrough Steele (Andrew), Alexandra O’Connell Day (Rob), Neal Thomas O’Connell, Jacqueline Paige O’Connell, Mackenzie Anne O’Connell, Bingham Adams Sheldon, (Tyler), Leah Howell (Christine) and Quinn Howell (Darla).

Preceding him in death were his grandparents Richard Bryan Stone, Pola Ellis Stone, Williston John O’Connell, and Mollie Winters O’Connell, cousin Richard Tyler Gertz, uncles John Patrick O’Connell, Paul Howell, and aunt Susan Howell Adams.

Jordan dedicated his life to Jesus Christ and attended the Second Baptist Church. He is terribly missed by his family; however, we are comforted in knowing that he was greeted into the loving and eternal arms of Jesus. “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” John 11:25 - 26.

There will be a celebration of life on Friday, August 26 at 4:00 PM, at the Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Immediately following there will be a reception held in the Deacon’s Parlor. If desired, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association or the charity of one's choice. Please visit Jordan’s online memorial tribute at Earthman’s Funeral Home, where memories, photos, words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with the family.