Brien O'Connor Dunn

Brien O’Connor Dunn was born April 24, 1950 in Mineola, New York and died at his home in Bayside, Texas on June 10, 2016 after a long courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Dunn, his parents, Marie O’Connor Dunn Sorenson and Robert Parke Dunn, and his stepfather, James H. Sorenson, Jr. He is survived by his sisters, Morgan Dunn O’Connor of Victoria, Kelly Dunn Schaar and her husband, Stephan, of Goliad, and Bridey Dunn Greeson and her husband, Milton, of Victoria. He is also survived by his nephews, Lawrence Aubrey O’Connor and his wife, Natalie, of San Antonio, and Sherrod Parke Greeson of Victoria.

Brien was a sixth generation Texan and a descendant of Thomas O’Connor, an Irish Immigrant who fought at the Battle of San Jacinto, and established an extensive ranching operation in South Texas. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in Victoria, and played on the 1966 St. Joe State Champion football team. He held a BA in English from St. Edward’s University in Austin. He was involved in ranching, farming, and oil and gas businesses, but his passion was the conservation and ecological projects that he created, and pioneered on his beloved Fennessey Ranch in Refugio County. He was also incredibly clever, funny, and a talented raconteur.

Brien was awarded the 1997 National Wetland Award for Land Stewardship and Development from the Environmental Law Institute in Washington D.C., the 1992 Outstanding Wildlife Conservationist award from the Copano Bay SWCD, the 2006 Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Award from the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation, and the 2008-2009 Outstanding Lone Star Land Steward Award from Texas Parks and Wildlife. The Wildlife in Focus IV Book was dedicated to Brien for his Land Stewardship.

There will be a visitation on Monday, June 13 at Rosewood Funeral Home from 5:30 until 7:00 pm. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 14 at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Victoria, Texas. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Brien’s family would like to thank Sally Crofutt for her 27 years as Brien’s ranch manager, and coordinator of all of the conservation efforts on his ranch. The family would also like to thank Brien’s devoted and loving caregivers, Linda Lemhberger, Regina Valenzuela, and Gloria Abilia.

Pallbearers are Frank Scanio, Robin Carville, Lawrence O’Connor, Parke Greeson, T. Michael O’Connor, Howland Gilley, Clive Runnels, and David Edwards. Honorary Pallbearers are Thomas Marion O’Connor, James B. Dunn, Delbert Cox, Sally Crofutt, Kathleen Carey, Lolly Lupton, Linda Lemhberger, Regina Valenzuela, Margerito Arzola, Bicente Soto, and Victoria Morales.

Contributions can be made in his memory to St. Joseph High School, 110 E. Red River, Victoria, Texas 77901, Wild Life in Focus, 711 N. Carancahua, Suite 120, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401, or the charity of the donor’s choice.