Jackson P. O'Connell, the 15 year old son of Steve and Sara (Sherman) O'Connell, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, in Iowa City, IA, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on Monday, March 9, 2015, on Badger Road, near East Dubuque.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A/M, on Monday, March 16, 2015, at St. Raphael's Cathedral, in Dubuque, IA, with Fr. Alan Diezenbach officiating. Burial will be in the East Dubuque Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 P/M to 8 P/M, on Sunday, March 15, 2014, at the EAST DUBUQUE HIGH SCHOOL, 200 Parklane Drive, East Dubuque, where there will be a family prayer service at 1:30 P/M. Visitation will also be from 8:45 A/M to 9:45 A/M, on Monday, March 16th, at the Miller Funeral Home, in East Dubuque.

Jackson was a sophomore attending the East Dubuque High School. He loved to play football and began at 9 years of age with the East Dubuque Youth Football program. He continued to play at the junior high level and through high school. Although Jackson loved the game itself, the time spent with his friends was much more important than the final score.

Jackson's true passion was swimming. He joined the Dubuque YMCA Dolphin Swim Team at 6 years old and competed with the Dolphins for the past ten (10) years. Jackson qualified for and competed in the Iowa State Swimming Championship meet for the past eight (8) consecutive years; most recently on March 8, 2015. Jackson was scheduled to compete in the Regional Swim Meet in Minneapolis, MN, on March 21, 2015. His dream was to someday qualify for and compete in the United States National Meet. Although swimming is a competitive sport, Jackson's first priority was to beat his own individual times and not his fellow swimmers.

Jackson loved the outdoors. He looked forward to his yearly family vacation in the Wisconsin Dells. His most memorable moments were those spent fishing with his grandpa at the "Honey Hole", wakeboarding and tubing on Lake Delton with his cousins and friends, followed by fun around the campfire. Jackson spent last summer working as a lifeguard/swim instructor at the Dunleith Pool alongside his mom and sister. While Jackson was the youngest on staff, he made the biggest impression on both the fellow staff members and the children he worked with. Summer night bonfires with friends were always the highlight of his week.

Jackson is survived by his parents, Steve and Sara O'Connell; his sister, Jordan; maternal grandparents, Lloyd and Mary Jo Sherman; paternal grandmother, Margaret O'Connell, of Dubuque, IA; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Patrick O'Connell.

In lieu of flowers, a Jackson P. O'Connell Memorial Fund has been established.

Steve, Sara and Jordan would like to "thank" the Dubuque, East Dubuque, and Menominee-Dunleith Fire Departments for their quick response and care. The family would also like to "thank" the Emergency Room Staff at Mercy Hospital for their loving care and fast decision to get Jackson to Iowa City. To the Seventh Floor PICU Team, the O'Connell family will never be able to "thank" you enough for the care you gave to Jackson and to us, "you are the best"!

We love you Big Tuna! Always and Forever Squatch! #JacksonStrong

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com