James Richard O'Connor

James Richard O’Connor, a native of Newton, MA and resident of Santa Cruz, CA, passed away at home with his family by his side. James joined the Merchant Marines at 17, and later joined the Air Force during the Korean War. He took advantage of the GI Bill for college and earned his PhD in economics from Columbia University. He was an intensely driven, passionate, and creative human, friend, scholar-activist, and intellectual who lived each day based on deeply held principles of social justice and revolution. His contributions to the understanding of the workings of capitalism and the state have been monumental. His work has been translated and debated in dozens of languages all over the world, and remains essential for social movement activists and teachers fighting against the catastrophe called capitalism. Before retiring as professor of Sociology at UCSC due to severe chronic back pain, he started an international journal, published a series of books, and kicked off an international discussion on capitalism and the environment in ways that still thrive in universities and public spaces everywhere. His ideas live on and remain sustenance for young students everywhere navigating their way into the world of scholar-activism. He is survived by Lynn O’Connor (San Francisco), mother of his two sons, Daniel (Salt Lake City) and Steven (Modesto) O’Connor; three grandchildren; and spouse, Barbara Laurence (Santa Cruz). He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Florence Cox O’Connor. The family wants to thank Dr. Darlene Zanker his dedicated physician, Hospice of Santa Cruz, and Vonn at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel. His ashes will be interred at the Veteran’s cemetery at the former Fort Ord. Website testimonials can be read at centerforpoiticalecology.org.