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J. Pat O’Connell passed away Monday, June 24 at the age of 66. He was the oldest son of the late Mollie Winters O’Connell and Williston John ("Bill") O’Connell. A prominent local businessman, Pat was a gifted and admired local athlete. While at Thomas Jefferson High School, he won the Thom McAn Award in 1964 and earned All State and All American distinctions in football. Later, while attending Southern Methodist University he played in the 1966 Cotton Bowl and 1969 Astro Bluebonnet Bowl. Known to many as simply "Big O", he was a big man who achieved big things with the biggest of hearts. His generosity of spirit, his zest for life and his love of family tantamount to it all. We will miss him dearly. Pat was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Paul Howell and Susan Adams. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Barbie, his children Chris and Trish, mother Betty O’Connell, siblings Bob Howell and wife Ruan Reast, Warren O’Connell, Charity O’Connell Yarborough, Wayne O’Connell and wife Dee, Scott O’Connell and wife CeCelia and numerous nieces and nephews.

SERVICES
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 27 at 3:00 p.m. at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church. A private interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation.

Jim Luther - TASO Baseball Life Member, NFHS Rules Committee member lost his battle with cancer today June 18, 2013. Details will be posted as they become available.

Tony Hollier, Tony Hollier, 53, of Port Neches, went home to be with the Lord surrounded by family and friends on Thursday, December 20,2012.
Tony was born on February 3,1959. He graduated from Port Neches Groves High School, Class of 1977, and was a proud
member of the 1975 State Football Championship Team. Tony was an avid sports enthusiast whose passion was football. He made many
lifelong friends through volunteering for sports activities as weI! as officiating for high school football. Tony had a generous and giving spirit.
His heart was filled with love for his family and friends.

Arthur Thomas "Art" Blair, Jr., age 91, one of the TASO Baseball Founding Fathers, passed away November 17, 2012. Born on July 27, 1921, in Fort Worth, TX, Art was a resident of Dallas and Duncanville, and a member of the Duncanville Church of Christ for many years.

After his family and church, Art's life centered on officiating amateur sports. He worked as a high school and college baseball umpire for over 30 years. His career behind the plate included officiating for the 1970 College World Series, many Regional NCAA baseball tournaments, and multiple Texas UIL state baseball championships. Art served as the official rules interpreter for the Southwest Conference (SWC) and Texas UIL baseball programs, supervised the SWC program for umpires, completed terms as President for regional and Texas officiating associations, and in 1999, was inducted into the National Amateur Baseball Umpires' Hall of Fame. The Art Blair Classic Varsity Invitational Tournament is hosted each March by Duncanville HS Panther Baseball and sponsored by their Baseball Booster Club and the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Association of Sports Officials.

Jake Reichenstein
Long time TASO and Dallas Football Chapter member Jake Reichenstein, 65, passed away suddenly on August 2, 2012. Jake was born and raised in Dallas and, other than his four years at Notre Dame and his five years in the Air Force, lived in the Dallas area all his life. Jake graduated from Jesuit high school in 1965. He was an Eagle Scout, both in fact and in the way he lived his life. Jake graduated from Notre Dame in 1969 and joined the Air Force.
In addition to being a dedicated employee at every job he held, including his most recent as Executive Director at Fletcher, Farley, Shipman & Salina, LLP, Jake was a member of the Dallas Football Officials Association (“DFOA”) for 38 years. Jake loved officiating high school football games, including the two years he was on a crew with his son, Matt.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jake’s name to the DFOA Scholarship Fund, 2005 Fairmeadow, Richardson, TX 75080.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012 3:29 PM
Susan E. Busse
Born on Nov. 4, 1958 Departed on Jul. 6, 2012 and resided in Longview, TX
On July 6, 2012, Susan E. Busse, 53, lost her battle with cancer, and the world lost a loving mother, sister, aunt and dear friend.

'Sue' was born on November 4, 1958, in Union City, PA, to Stanley and Beatrice Mulvin. She grew up in a large and loving family and was a graduate of Union City High School in PA, Asbury University in Wilmore, KY and Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX where she earned her masters degree in Education. Sue dedicated her career to teaching and helping young minds learn, and taught grade school for 20 years, most recently at Harmony Elementary in Big Sandy, TX, and previously at Christian Heritage School and Pine Tree ISD. She was also a member of Fellowship Bible Church.

As the 2nd eldest growing up with 3 sisters and a brother, it was Sue who was revered as the go-to, get the job done, no-nonsense one. That is evident in her determination and drive from her college and post-graduate studies, involvement in sports, and her dedication in raising her children.

Sue developed a lifelong passion and love for the game of volleyball while in high school and college and continued to be an active participant in the sport her entire life. Although much a team sport, volleyball allowed her individuality, skill and pure talent to shine through, while encouraging teammates along the way, much like Sue's entire life. Sue served as an official with the Texas Association of Sports Officials – Longview Volleyball Chapter for over 22 years. During her officiating career, she served the chapter as scheduler, trainer, secretary, treasurer and board member. She provided countless hours of training for new officials. Highlights of her career include officiating at the UIL State Volleyball Tournament in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

Sue is survived by her loving family; two children, Dena Busse and Maxwell Busse both of Longview; sister Pamela Shields of Longview; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Robert Eldridge of Longview; sister and brother-in-law, Rebecca and Kevin Baney of Lantana, TX; brother, David Mulvin of Dallas, TX; in-laws include, Dale and Lucy Busse of Akron, OH; Dan and Christine Busse of Jacksonville, FL; Pam and Tim Allen of Lamar, MO; as well as 12 nieces and nephews.

Sue was met in heaven by her father and mother, Stanley and Beatrice Mulvin and also by her dear husband of 22 years, Craig Busse. Sue was a devoted and loving wife to Craig Busse, who passed away suddenly at the age of 42 on January 30, 2004. As tragic as that event was in her life, she found the courage and will to live with purpose and meaning, in God's full glory and good intentions by providing, loving and raising her 2 adoring children. Dena and Max were the beaming lights in her heart, provided the strong willpower to live her best life, gave her the courage needed to survive the many obstacles she faced, and were her greatest treasures and most precious gifts from God.

Sue will be remembered for her impeccable style, positive outlook on life, keen sense of humor, strong discipline, exceptional character and high morals. Sue lived a genuine and reputable life, was a gracious soul, and had such love for God, family and friends. These are the life lessons and legacy she leaves with all of us who had the privilege of loving her.

Memorials can be made to The Salvation Army where she was a bell ringer during her Christmas breaks while attending Asbury University. Sue's CaringBridge Guestbook has nearly 800 entries from friends and family, which includes such amazing words of support and outpouring of love. Some Bible Scriptures Sue selected and shared via CaringBridge
John 14:18 'I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you'
2nd Corinthians 4:17 'For momentary, light affliction is producing for me an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison'