James Patrick O'Connor

James (Jim) O’Connor died on July 12, 2024 at home following a courageous battle with ALS ( Lou Gehrig’s disease). Jim was born in Richland Center, WI on June 25, 1951. He was raised in Lone Rock and moved to Lomira when he was in high school where he met his future wife, Susie Muehlius. They were married in 1976 and lived in Oconomowoc throughout their married life. They had two daughters, Stephanie and Laura.

Jim’s work life revolved around cars which started at a very young age when he would help at his dad’s car dealership in Lone Rock. He moved onto washing cars at a dealership in Lomira while in high school and then post high school he managed several dealerships in the Milwaukee area. In 1982 he built his own car dealership, Lomira Auto. In 2013 he opened Jim O’Connor Select Auto in Oconomowoc.

Jim was honored to be elected as the first used car dealer to be the chairman of the Wisconsin Auto & Truck Dealers Association in 1999. He was appointed by the Department of Transportation for the Right Way Award in 1997. More recently Select Auto was given the Oconomowoc Small Business of the Year Award in 2021. He received a very personal honor in 2023 when the City Council of Oconomowoc officially designated St. Patrick’s Day 2023 as “Jim O’Connor Day.” Jim was very involved in parish councils at St. Catherine’s in Mapleton and St. Jerome’s of Oconomowoc throughout his adult life as well.

Jim was truly one of a kind. He was known for his extreme generosity, selflessness, non-judgmental and open-minded persona. Through the years he mentored many different people. He loved spending time with his family, tending meticulously to his yard, playing cards of any kind with friends and whenever he could, getting out to his family’s farm.

Jim is survived by his wife and best friend Susanne, daughter Stephanie (Andrew) granddaughter Maya, step-grandchildren Samantha and Nick; daughter Laura and grandson Connor; mother-in-law Elaine Muehlius; brothers Tom (Kathy), Jerry (Luanne), Dan (Verene), John (Kathy), Pat (Joan), and Terry (Peggy); sister-in-laws Sally (Gary), Mary (Russ), Margaret and Tricia (Mike); and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins with whom he was very close.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Therese, father-in-law Jerry Muehlius, brother-in-law Gary Newlands and sister-in-law Amy O’Connor.

Jim will be missed by many but the memories will never be forgotten. The family would like to thank the many friends and family who provided their support over the past three years through visits, cards, phone calls, texts and letters.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at Pagenkopf Funeral Home on July 27th located at 2228 Silver Maple Ln. in Oconomowoc with visitation from 1:30-4:30 and service to immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lake Area Free Clinic and Food Pantry, both of Oconomowoc or to a charity of your choosing.