Obituary of Kevn C. OConnell

It is great sadness we report Kevin C. OConnell passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023, after a brief illness. A viewing will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023, between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm at Ullrey Memorial Chapel, 817 Almond Street, Yuba City, CA. Memorial service will follow, at the same location, on Monday, March 13, 2023, at 11 am, with a reception immediately following at Kevin and Karen's house in Yuba City. Kevin was born at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, on July 14, 1954, to Kenneth B. O'Connell, an Air Force Lieutenant and Jeanne (Hall) O'Connell. Kevin enjoyed being an Air Force brat, embracing the travel and new stations of his dad's military assignments. After Lowry, the family moved to Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas, where he took on the role of a big brother upon brother Sean's birth in January 1956, followed by Molly's birth in February 1959. After Texas, the family spent 4 years at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, where Kevin came to love the island life. The family's last assignment was Scott Air Force Base, Belleville, Illinois. Upon his father's retirement from the Air Force in 1969, the family moved to Grass Valley, where the family roots run deep. While at Nevada Union High School, he was on the football team and the golf team and graduated in 1972. After several jobs, Kevin found his career with Hust Brothers Distribution in Marysville. Kevin was lucky enough to meet and marry Karen OConnell; and they spent 27 years together. He embraced her children as his own and was a proud grandfather and great-grandfather. They shared a love for traveling to Hawaii, taking cruises and family game nights. His love of sports started at a very young age on the golf course, and he evolved into an avid sports fan of the Sacramento Kings, San Francisco 49ers and Giants. Kevin is survived by his wife of 25 years, Karen OConnell; and his sister, Molly O'Connell, of Grass Valley; stepchildren, Renee and Gavin Wise of Plumas Lake, CA, Shelley Crossley, and Jeff and Jackie Crossley of Yuba City, CA; grandchildren, Samantha and Chad Evans of Norfolk, Virginia, Austin and Shelby Neher of Killeen, Texas, Dallas Hawkins and Maycie Hawkins of Plumas Lake, CA, Riley Crossley, Lailla Crossley, Angel, AJ and Abi all of Yuba City, CA; and three great-granddaughters: Emily, Luna, and Caroline. He is predeceased by his parents, Ken and Jeanne O'Connell; brother, Sean O'Connell; grandparents, Thomas and Hannah Hall, and Chet and Lilian Miller. The family would like to thank Placer County Hospice and the staff of Silvana Senior Care Home #6 for their dedication and kindness in taking care of Kevin. He was a great husband, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, and will be greatly missed.