Michael Dudley O'Connor

Michael (Mike) Dudley O’Connor, 82 years, of Puyallup, Washington, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, in Tacoma, Washington after an extended battle with cancer.

Born on December 28, 1943 in Kermit, Texas to Marjory Hazel Montgomery and Bert O’Connor. His family lived in numerous places and Mike held several interesting jobs before graduating from Clarkston High School, WA. After high-school, he enlisted in the USAF and served for 4 years including 10 months as a line-cook in Vietnam. He later attended Spokane Community College before ultimately starting his career with the Federal Aviation Administration and settling in western Washington. There, he spent nearly 40 years working as an Air Traffic Controller and a Duty Officer. Outside of work, Mike was an avid camper, hunter, fisherman, little league coach, softball coach, and a great friend to many.

He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, the way he could enter a room and start up a conversation with almost anyone, his story-telling abilities, his love of animals and creatures, and his unwavering helping hand to his family, neighbors and friends.

His greatest joys were spending time with his children and grandchildren, attending countless sports and school events and celebrations throughout his life. He was also an avid Mariners and Seahawks fan to the very end.

Mike is survived by his wife of 32 years, Linda O’Connor of Puyallup WA; children Shawn O’Connor of Kirkland WA, Katherine (John) O’Connor of Issaquah WA and their mother Judy Mashek, Darrin (Mary) Hatcher of Puyallup WA, Mark Hatcher of Pahoa Hawaii; six grandchildren: Caleb (Alyssa) Hatcher of Phoenix AZ, Luke (Natalie) Hatcher of Seattle WA, Sarah Hatcher of Tacoma WA, Rebecca Hatcher of Puyallup WA, Addison Hatcher of Tampa FL, Julian Fleck of Indianapolis IN, and one great grandchild: Haley Hatcher of Phoenix AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Patricia Gail Whiteley and two grandchildren: Robyn Hatcher of Eugene OR and Andrew Hatcher of Tampa FL.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the amazing staff at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, St. Joseph Medical Center, and the Franciscan Hospice House.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 30, 2026, at 1PM at Bethany Baptist Church in Puyallup. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County at https://www.thehumanesociety.org/.