Services for Casper resident R. K. "Dick" O'Connell, 82, will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 2, 2006, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with Father August Koeune officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.
He died on November 28, 2006 in Denver after a long illness.
He was born March 12, 1924 in Massachusetts to Joseph and Lavinia O'Connell. He graduated from high school in Milton Massachusetts, and then attended the Mackey School of Mines at the University of Nevada - Reno, and graduated in 1948. While attending college he met his future wife, Vula Livierato, and they married on May 8, 1948 in Reno.
He began his career as a scout for Gulf Oil and lived in Oklahoma City, Ardmore, Tulsa, Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and Evansville, Indiana before being transferred to Casper in 1956, where he became Exploration Manager for Gulf's Casper office. In the early 1960's he quit Gulf to pursue his own business in the petroleum industry. His encyclopedic knowledge of the oil and gas business in the Rocky Mountains was legendary. He ran his business with honesty, integrity, hard work and passion until he was forced to retire due to ill health. He helped many people starting out in the industry, and was known for his kindness and fairness. In addition, he had a strong belief in education and sponsored scholarships for many students over the course of his life.
He enjoyed golfing, fishing, and loved animals. He had homes in Indian
Wells, California and Buffalo, Wyoming as well as in Casper. He enjoyed his family and particularly his grandchildren. He was respected and loved by his family and his many friends.
He is survived by his wife, Vula, two daughters, Judy Coon of Littleton, Colorado, and Sue O'Connell of Buffalo, Wyoming, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and a sister.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the University of Wyoming Foundation Attn: Mary Ann Garman, 1200 E. Ivinson, Laramie, Wyoming 82070.
Newcomer Family Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.
Contact: Diane McKee 234-0234