Born April 23, 1913 in Centralia, Wash., Ed O’Connor passed away peacefully in Ojai, Calif., on Jan. 3, 2009. He was predeceased in 2006 by his wife of 71 years, Lois Kitsman O’Connor. He is survived by his son Jerry O’Connor of Thousand Oaks, Calif., daughter Joanne O’Connor Hartley of Oak Harbor, son Michael O’Connor of Spokane, 13 grandchildren, and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.

Ed graduated from Centralia High School in 1930 and the University of Washington in 1934. He won the Washington State Flute Contest in 1929 and played clarinet and tenor sax in big bands in the 1930s. He loved being a University of Washington alumnus. In 2007 with assistance from family members he attended a football game and was honored by the Husky Band as one of their oldest living members.

A member of the Greatest Generation, Ed served as an officer in the U.S. Army in Alaska during World War II on construction of the Alaska Highway, and in U.S. military government in Korea after the war. His many stories about life back then were retold so many times that his children and grandchildren will easily keep them alive for years.

From 1946 until 1977, Ed was in sales with General Electric, retiring at age 63. In 1976, he was their top salesman in the country, selling major appliances to builders and dealers. The family lived in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Eugene and Beaverton during those years. He was a private pilot during that time and loved fishing and golf.

After retirement, Ed and Lois managed Western Village Mobile Home Park in Oak Harbor, and fished for salmon on their boat, the EdLo. All of their family and friends enjoyed great times on that boat over the course of 30 years.

Following Lois’ death, Ed moved into assisted living in Oak Harbor. He moved to California in January, 2008. A private family memorial service is planned.