James C. Conner

JAMES (JIM) CLEGG CONNER, age 70, passed away Sunday, March 10th in San Antonio, Texas surrounded by family and loved ones. Jim was born September 23, 1942 in Memphis, TN to Ann and James Conner. In his younger years Jim was a bit of a rebel which resulted in him attending military academy for his High School years. Following school Jim joined the US Navy before marrying and having three children. Jim continued living life on the edge by racing cars, riding motorcycles and bow hunting. He loved being around people and had a large group of friends with whom he went camping and competed in chili cook-offs. He was a lenient, fun father, not always around, but always exciting to be around. Jim was a Food Service Design Specialist who worked at Mission Restaurant Supply. He loved and was really good at his job, taking pride in each of his projects. Jim was a people person, a fantastic salesman who could tell a great story and knew how to make people laugh. He lived for his Sunday NASCAR races, but also enjoyed fishing and was an accomplished though not very prolific artist. Jim worked as hard at home as he did at work, keeping an immaculate house and yard. He had recently begun taking care of a feral cat colony, rescuing one desperately sick kitten he named Smokey. He loved and spoke of Smokey all the time. Jim will be remembered for all of these wonderful traits. We will also miss his amazing fried chicken, grilling skills and sitting around sipping afternoon toddies with him. Jim lived a good life, he had many good friends and family who loved him and he will be dearly missed by all. I’d like to share the story of my father’s passing: My dad’s favorite thing was NASCAR. He waited all week for the Sunday race. We’d been told hearing is the last sense to go, so the race played loudly next to his ear as they administered the morphine. I kept him updated “19 more laps”, “only 8 more laps, dad” knowing this was his last race. His numbers fluctuated with each lap and I thought for sure they’d crash as the cars crossed the finish line, but he hung on. Who knew the winners were interviewed after the race? Sure enough, once the recap was finished and the trophy handed out his numbers dropped from 30 to zero in an instant. The nurse was dumbfounded, but it made complete sense to us. As we said our final good-byes a single tear rested in the corner of his eye. It was a heartbreaking and bittersweet moment; he left this world surrounded by loved ones, listening to his beloved NASCAR, but he left none-the-less. Jim is survived by his three children; Cheré Conner, Brian Conner and wife Shari and their children, Amelia and Miles. Brett Conner and wife Christina and their daughter Kaitlyn. His sister; Ann, her husband Michael OHara and their three children, Michael, Lesley, and Ryan. His dearest friend, JoAnn Schobel was with him for the last 20 years. Jim was predeceased by his parents Ann Clegg Conner and James Oldham Conner.

Memorials may be made to the following organizations: http://www.navysealfoundation.org/ http://www.homesforourtroops.org/ site/PageServer http://www.petsmartcharities.org/ http://www.gop.com/our-party/ http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at his home on Sunday, April 7th, 2013 from 1pm to 4pm, 5330 Friesenhahn Court, San Antonio, TX 78247. This will be a casual event in which we can remember the many ways Jim touched our lives.