James J. O'Connor, Jr.

Born in Camden, NJ on December 9, 1956 Jim passed into the presence of Jesus on October 9, 2026 --- 3 yrs and 6 days after being diagnosed with Metastatic Carcinoma gall bladder cancer.

Jim was the eldest of 5 siblings, and grew up in South Jersey. He made a life-changing decision to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior at age 15, and upon graduating from high school, chose to attend Florida Bible College in Hollywood, FL, focusing on Bible and Pastoral Studies. He continually pursued studying the Bible his entire life . . . not just for knowledge, but for personal application, and to grow in his relationship with God.

During his freshman year, he met music student Pam Wolfe from Indianapolis, IN, and everything changed for them both. After 1 seafood dinner date, they were engaged. 18 months after, they were married, moved to New Jersey, and grew a family with son Jonathan and daughter Meghann. The LORD, His work, and His will were always central in their family.

With his analytical and mathematical mind, Jim enjoyed various jobs of drafting in manufacturing and later, in structural steel. He also enjoyed teaching teens in Bible studies and church youth group, challenging them to make their lives count for God in the time He has allotted us. He worked with youth for over 30 years, and felt it was time very well spent. He was a church deacon for 35 years, and was ordained as a teaching elder/pastor (while still holding a layman's job), spoke from the pulpit, and taught Men's Bible study for 20 years. He always thought the LORD had something else for him to do, and he said it was encouraging to him to be used of God.

Jim wanted his daily life to be honoring to God, and so treated all he worked with and came in contact with respect, dignity, and kindness. When his cancer hospitalizations would become more frequent, he would say, "Well, the LORD must have someone at the hospital for me to talk to or encourage in Him." He had a huge impact at the hospital, and his last hospital stay, doctors from other floors and wings would stop by to check in on "Pastor Jim" to see how he was doing.

Jim went to be with his Savior and God with 3 generations of loving women of his family at his bedside: his wife of 48 years, Pam; his daughter, Meghann; and his mother, Sheilah.

Jim is preceded in death by his father, James J. O'Connor, Sr.; and his younger brother, George. He is survived by his wife Pamela, son Jonathan (children Brayden and Lila), daughter Meghann Mars (Bill Mars and their children Jordanna and Will), his mother Sheilah O'Connor, his sister Theresa (Jack Petersen), brother Mark (Pamela V. O'Connor), sister Cecilia, 17 nieces and nephews and spouses, and many great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Jim will be held on Saturday November 7, 2026 at 11:30 am at Christ Community Church 235 E. Linden Ave. Lindenwold, NJ 08021

Feel free to wear a Hawaiian shirt, as this was a signature of his.

Jim always LOVED church covered dish dinners! We want his luncheon to be what he enjoyed: casseroles, stuffed shells, baked ziti, side dishes, etc.

If you plan to attend the luncheon immediately following the service at the church, please bring a SERVE-READY covered dish to contribute to the community table. Doors open at 10:30

Contact jimsmemorial2026@gmail.com to register your dish with the organizers.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's memory may be made to: Garden Lake Bible Church 63 First Ave. Lindenwold, NJ 08021