Donald Lee Connor, 81, of Jefferson City passed away peacefully on Friday, September 2, 2016, at St. Joseph’s Bluffs in Jefferson City. He was born on June 9, 1935, in Freeburg, Missouri, the son of Lloyd Homer and Rose Cecelia (Libbert) Connor, who preceded him in death. He was united in marriage on October 13, 1962, in Jefferson City to Judith Marie Graessle.
He was a 1953 graduate of St. Peter's High School and a 1963 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia. He proudly served our country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War from 1955-1959. He was employed with Mutual Savings and Loan in Jefferson City, Missouri from 1963 until his retirement as Bank President in 1997.
Donald was an avid musician. He enjoyed being a drummer and playing in various festivals such as the Oktoberfest in Jefferson City and musicals that his children played in growing up. He was a member numerous clubs and organizations such as: Cosmopolitan Club, Navy Musicians Association, Studebaker Driver’s Club, Knights of Columbus, Helias Band Booster, Community Concert Band, “The Goldtonesâ€, Old Munichburg Association, “Don Connor and his Tenor Band†and the Jefferson City Cantorum.
In the words of his family: “At 81 years of age, he had lived a full and incredibly rich life. He was a bit of a hoodlum as a kid (PG rated, we’re sure!), a veteran of the U.S. Navy Band (who endured claustrophobia while traveling by submarine), a talented drummer (especially Jazz), a successful banker (started as a teller and retired as bank president) and a skilled tennis player (with his own tennis court in the backyard, no less).
However, nothing compares to his accomplishments as a father and husband. Our family was fortunate to have him in our lives and for that we are eternally grateful.â€
Donald is survived by his loving wife, Judy; four sons: Bruce (Charlene) Connor of Jefferson City, Brian (Mary Warburton) Connor of Glendale, Missouri, Matt (Gina) Connor of Jefferson City, and Steve Connor of Jefferson City; one daughter: Susan (Jerry) Johannes of Flower Mound, Texas; one sister: Virginia Fisher of Jerseyville, Illinois; twelve grandchildren: Emily Hatcher, Erin Hatcher, Jade Connor, Ian Connor, Indyanna Connor, Delaney Connor, Sean Connor, Celia Johannes, Adia Johannes, Georgia Johannes and Amelia Johannes. He was preceded in death by three sisters: Florence Gerling, Mary Heimericks, and Patricia Fetters and one grandson: Mark Hatcher |