Jack Dean O'Connor, 85, passed away peacefully at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota on January 10, 2024.

He was born on October 29, 1938 in Custer to Floyd "Mickey" O'Connor and Ruth Graham O'Connor. He attended school in Custer, graduating from Custer High School in 1956. He later attended and graduated from Black Hills Teachers' College (now Black Hills State University) in 1960 with a B.S. in Business Education. He married Joyce Elaine Newberg, also of Custer, on June 26, 1960. Jack taught business courses at Custer High School from 1961-1975, while also working weekends and summers at the family-owned O'Connor Lumber Company. He later worked at Black Hills Electric Cooperative and the State of South Dakota Youth Forestry Camp in Custer. He retired in 1998.

Jack was a dedicated member of the Custer Volunteer Fire Department for many years and was an avid Custer Wildcats fan, keeping books for the basketball team, serving on the football chain gang.

His hobbies — many of which were shared with his grandchildren, who lovingly called him "Papa Jack" — included hunting, eating breakfast with the locals, driving through his beloved Black Hills, frequenting garage sales, playing with his hobby trains, spending time in his work shop sifting through his many treasures, and woodworking.

Preceding Jack in death are his parents; brothers Floyd, Glen, and Gerald; and sister Carol.

He is survived by Joyce, his wife of 63 years; sisters Pat Spargur and Joyce Hamilton; daughters Lynnette (Perry) Rockvam and Deanna (David) Emery; grandchildren Joshua, Katie (Todd), Lindsay (Taylor), Brandon, and Ryan; great grandsons Myles, Mason, and Brooks; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer, SD.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Friday, January 19, 2024, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer, SD.

Memorials may be sent to the Custer Volunteer Fire Department or Custer Care and Rehab Center.