RALPH STURGES O’CONNOR

1926-2018

Ralph Sturges O’Connor, a true life force, departed this world on Sunday, the 30th of December 2018, in Houston. He was 92 years of age. He was a wonderful man, a husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, friend and mentor. An eternal optimist blessed with a terrific sense of humor, he was a true gentleman.

Born in Pasadena, California, he attended Manhasset High School, Manhasset Long Island and graduated from New Hampton Preparatory School. He enlisted in the Air Cadet Program in November 1943. Following his discharge from the Army Air Corps in 1946, he attended The Johns Hopkins University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in biology. Following graduation he moved to Sour Lake, Texas and began his oil and gas career as a roustabout for Highland Oil Company, where over the years he worked his way up the ladder becoming President and CEO of the Highland Oil Company in 1964. He left Highland Resources in 1987 to start his own firm, Ralph S. O’Connor & Associates. In addition to his oil and gas exploration and real estate activities, he served as a director of numerous companies, including Texas Eastern Transmission Company, Panhandle Eastern Corporation, First City National Bancorporation and First Commercial Corporation.

Ralph had a great interest in education at all levels. He truly enjoyed his involvement with schools, students and faculty in both academics and athletics. Houston and the arts also received the benefit of his interest by significant contributions to the business, civic and cultural communities of the city he loved. He took great pride in the time he served as a trustee or director of Rice University, The Johns Hopkins University, Texas Southern University, The Kinkaid School, Episcopal High School, Oldfields School, The Marian and Speros Martel Foundation, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Texas Children’s Hospital and as Chairman of Hermann Hospital.

Ralph shared his enjoyment of travel with his wife Becky, family and friends. Over the years, many fun trips and events he organized were the highlight of the year. His love of contemporary art started at an early age and the adventure of collecting carried on throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife, Becky Gorham O’Connor; four children, George R. O’Connor, Thomas “Toby” I. O’Connor, Nancy O’Connor Abendshein and John H. O’Connor; their spouses, Lynn O’Connor, Barbie O’Connor, Mark “Butch” Abendshein and Sarah O’Connor; stepchildren, David Gorham and Laura Gorham; nine grandchildren, Ryan O’Connor and his wife Amy, Kelly O’Connor, Maconda Abinader and her husband Sacha, Nancy O’Connor, Andrew Abendshein, Ralph Abendshein, Rebecca Duncan and her husband Chris, Ian O’Connor and Charlie O’Connor; four great-grandchildren, Louisa O’Connor, Georgia O’Connor, Marcus Abinader and Alice Abinader; and sister, Edith Pashayan. Mr. O’Connor was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Thomas and John; his sister, Connaught; and Maconda Brown O’Connor, mother of his children.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 11th of January, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Following a private Rite of Committal at Glenwood Cemetery, a Memorial Mass is to be offered at one o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 12th of January, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Road in Houston, where the Rev. Al Sinasac, C.S.B., Pastor, will serve as celebrant.

Serving as honorary pallbearers during the services are his friends and associates, Dr. William Bryan, Karen George, Philip Hawley, Karen Mathews, Frank McGuyer, Dr. Wilfred Potter, Clive Runnells, Dr. George Rupp, Fayez Sarofim and Mark Tawney.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to the O’Connor Women’s Tennis Endowment, c/o George R. Brown Tennis Center at Rice University, 6100 Main Street, MS-553, Houston, TX 77005-1892; or to the Ralph S. O’Connor Recreation Center Maintenance Endowment Fund, Blue Jays Unlimited, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218.