Bobby O'Connor

George Robert “Bobby” O'Connor, 68, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 15th 2024.

Bobby was born to the late Homer and Virginia O’Connor of Charleston, WV on May 2, 1956.

Bobby graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in Charleston, WV in 1974. He also received his Associates Degree from Emmanuel Baptist University. Bobby gave his heart to Jesus in May of 1978 and we rejoice in knowing that he is in Heaven with his Savior.

Bobby was a member of the Ripley Tabernacle Baptist Church for over 25 years and enjoyed working on their annual Fourth of July Float, Creation Club and the “Journey to Bethlehem”. Bobby traveled all throughout the United States with his 1:25 scale model of Noah’s Ark, which was built by himself and his dear friends, Gary Gordon and Mark McComas. Bobby loved sharing his Ark Ministry and teaching others about the Bible, the Creation account in Genesis, Evolution and Dinosaurs.

Bobby was a part of the infamous “Railroad Club” with his friends from the West Side of Charleston. Bobby and his friends would spend hours hopping trains that would sometimes end up taking them as far as Kentucky and back.

Upon graduation from Stonewall Jackson High School, Bobby began working at Yeager Airport in Charleston, WV. He worked fleet service for Allegheny Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, UsAir and USAirways. In 2011, Bobby retired from USAirways with over 35 years experience in the airline industry. He loved telling stories of his time working in the airline industry and he especially loved his co-workers from Yeager Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Bobby also was a substitute bus driver for Jackson County Schools following his retirement from the airlines and also worked at the Jackson County Clerk’s Office.

Bobby enjoyed traveling and in his lifetime traveled to Asia, South America, and many European destinations. He also enjoyed working on model airplanes and cars, fishing, beating his nephew Jeremy in chess and perfecting his infamous cheesecake recipe.

He was a devoted husband, a loving Dad, a proud “Apple” to his grandsons and a selfless friend to all who knew him, always offering kindness and a smile to all he met.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Melissa; his daughters Kelly (Isaac) and Sarah; step-children, Blake Tanner, Alec Tanner and Madison (Connor) Smith; grandsons, Lincoln and Ezra Goff and Step-granddaughters, Vivian and Everleigh Tanner. Bobby is also survived by his two sisters, Joni Bess and Gloria Javins as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara O’Connor, a brother, Richard O’Connor and a sister, Patty Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Answers In Genesis at https://answersingenesis.org/donate/ (https://answersingenesis.org/donate/)

A viewing will be held on Friday, August 23rd 2024 at Ripley Tabernacle Baptist Church from 4-7pm. An additional viewing will be held at 12:00pm to 1:00pm on Saturday, August 24th 2024 with funeral services following. Burial will be at Fairplain Cemetery in Fairplain, WV.

Services can be Live-Streamed via the Ripley Tabernacle Baptist Church’s Facebook Page.