Obituary - Timothy Wayne O'Connell

Timothy Wayne O'Connell Sr., 82, passed away the morning of Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes.

At his request, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at the Community Alliance Church in Havre with Pastor Munya Takawira officiating.

Please visit Tim's online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family at https://www.hollandbonine.com .

Tim was born September 5, 1941, in San Jose, California, to Maurice and Marion (Faltersack) O'Connell. He was raised with his sister, Carolyn, on the family's ranch and graduated from high school. He met Suzanne "Sue" Bolte in high school and they were soon married.

Tim attended school at Cal Poly and graduated with his degree in animal husbandry. He taught at the Vo-Ag for a few years while working on the ranch, farming, and raising his family. He moved his family to Washington state to teach in Kelso, Washington. He found that he preferred to work with his hands, so he went to work for the John Deere Dealership as their mechanic and service manager for sixteen years. During this time, he and his family moved to many places in the Pacific Northwest including Odessa, WA, Bakersfield, CA, Moscow, ID, and Burns, OR. He then moved his family to Havre, Montana, where he had taken a position at Northern Montana College to teach diesel mechanics. During his tenure at Northern Montana College, he obtained his master's degree in education. He still found time to work with cars in the summer months. After seven years in Havre, he later accepted a position at the Helena vo-tech. He taught there for two years before moving to White Water, Wisconsin.

Throughout the years, his family grew to 10 children, foster children, and a home day care. Tim loved and was so proud of his children. He enjoyed participating in their lives by attending school events, special occasions and holidays. He was a quiet man who had a "wild and wooly" family that kept him on his toes. He often would tell his children how proud he was of them in their achievements or just in who they were.

Tim and Sue later divorced, and Tim moved back to California to be closer to his family of origin. He took a position as the facility manager at Sequoia Institute, where he worked until he retired.

Tim was an adventurous spirit who enjoyed traveling, dancing, and bringing to life difficult mechanical projects. He also loved the thrill and speed of Auto Cross. He raced an MG1100, a car he called Sue and Crew in honor of his family. He loved his jeep that he rebuilt himself and called Gladiator. He "souped" it up and competed in tractor pulls. He also participated in the destruction derby and had a stock car. His children loved to watch him drive in the destruction derby at the fairgrounds.

Tim later married Darlene, with whom he spent 20 years until she passed away. They shared many adventures together including bringing his younger children to visit every summer. They had many vacations at Lake Tahoe, visited amusement parks like Great America, and other family activities.

After Darlene passed, he found love again with Jeannie whom he was married to for seven years before she also passed. He enjoyed exploring his Chrisitan faith while married to Jeanne. Tim had much love to share with his family, and the people he chose to share his life with.

As his health began to fail, Tim moved back to Havre to be closer to his family whom he has always cherished. He was a quiet, kind, presence who enjoyed eating out, and watching old movies. He brought with him to Havre his cat buddy, Tigger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his second wife, Darlene, and his third wife, Jeannie.

Tim is survived by his 10 children, Teri, Tim Jr. (Toni), and Erin O'Connell, Shannon (Jay) Howland, Matthew (Judith) O'Connell, Merrick O'Connell, Kristen (Eric) Allen, Ryann (Rod) Pecnick, Shaylee (Tom) Lewis and Brittany (Tel) Sterner; 22 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. Additionally, he is survived by his sister Carolyn Lees; numerous nieces and nephews; his first wife, Sue O'Connell; and many more people who loved and cared for him.