Jefferson Barrington "J.B." O'Connor

Jefferson Barrington “J. B.” O'Connor, age 90, passed peacefully from this life on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Sacred Ground Hospice House in Knoxville. He was a long time member of Middlesettlements Methodist Church. J. B. served in the U. S. Air Force and Air National Guard for 34 years, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. After retirement, J.B. maintained the family farm in Blount County and enjoyed raising registered Black Angus cattle.

He is preceded in death by his parents, E. G. and Hilda Rhea O'Connor and his wife, Zelma (Crim) O'Connor. He is survived by his sister, Marian Cantley; children and their spouses, Chris and Susan O'Connor of Overland Park, KS, Vicki and Russell Dixon of Mason, OH; stepchildren and their spouses, Michael and Carmen Alexander of Lake St. Louis, MO, Mark and Tina Alexander of Winfield, MO; grandchildren, Ian, Asher and Hope O'Connor, Pavel and Isabella Katchanov, Amanda Alexander, Samantha Seiffert, Emily Alexander, and five great grandchildren. Special thanks to Roland Mote and Mike Andes who helped J.B. and his family during the last weeks of his life. Their help was greatly appreciated. The family also wishes to express their gratitude to Mary Trusty, who was a faithful friend to J.B. in his later years.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Middlesettlements Methodist Church, Maryville, with Rev. Magan Stubblefield officiating. Interment will follow in Middlesettlements Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Middlesettlements Memorial Association, 2729 Middlesettlements Road, Maryville, TN 37801.