Cheryl Harris O'Connor

It is with great sadness that the family of Cheryl Harris O’Connor announces her passing on September 29, 2017, at the age of 71. Cheryl was surrounded by her husband and children when she was freed from her struggle with Parkinson’s and other health issues.

Cheryl was born February 7, 1946, in Roswell, New Mexico to Raymond and Lorvetta Harris. She grew up in Roswell, where she particularly enjoyed riding horses, raising animals as part of 4H, and skiing. She graduated from Roswell High School in 1964 and went on to Newcomb College (now merged with Tulane), majoring in English and Philosophy. After college, Cheryl moved to Arlington to work for the accounting firm, Ernst & Ernst, in Dallas where she edited financial reports. Living in Arlington, Cheryl met her husband, Jim O’Connor, and they were married in Roswell on November 15, 1969. Together, and with their two children, Michael and Jennifer, they lived several places in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado.

Cheryl was a devoted mother to her two children, and was always very involved and supportive of any of their activities. Cheryl was an avid volunteer, starting with the PTA, often putting together the school carnival fundraisers. In Austin, Cheryl helped the Westbank Community Library grow from a borrowed space in a bank to a stand-alone building and hub of the community. While living in the DFW area, Cheryl was very involved with Christian Community Action, working on their Giving Tree program, golf tournament fundraisers, and – particularly – their back-to-school program making sure less-fortunate children got clothes and supplies for school. Cheryl also managed shelters for the Red Cross during the aftermath from hurricanes Katrina and Ike – advocating for the people in her shelters to get needed services and support from FEMA and other relief agencies.
Cheryl’s influence, inspiration, and sense of humor will live on forever in the many family members and friends whose lives she touched. Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents and step-mother Virginia Harris of Roswell, NM.

Survivors: Cheryl is survived by her husband, James O’Connor of Southlake, TX; son, Michael O’Connor of Austin, TX; daughter, Jennifer Younge of Parker, CO; siblings Patricia Harris of Bulverde, TX; Marc Harris of Albuquerque, NM; Raenette Rowland; and K.R. Scott of Phoenix, AZ. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Matthew O’Connor, Claire O’Connor, Riley Younge, and Amber Younge.

A memorial service to honor Cheryl's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 13, 2017, at the Lucas Funeral Home, 1601 South Main Street in Keller, Texas, immediately followed by a reception.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, https://www.michaeljfox.org or the American Heart Association, https://donatenow.heart.org .
For more information on arrangements, visit Lucas Funeral Homes