James Edwin Conner, Sr

James Edwin Conner, Sr., 93, of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday morning May 29, 2014 at Mercy Hospital. He was born Aug. 3, 1920 in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Charles Nelson and Mabel G. (Milburn) Conner. He married Della Mae Neth April 7, 1997 in Eureka Springs, Ark., and she survives of the home.

James graduated in 1938 from Fort Scott High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1944 until 1946 as a Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class. James started working for the Frisco Railroad in 1941. In 1951 he received his Master Plumber's License and worked as a pipe fitter for the Frisco until the Roundhouse closed. From 1978 until 1985 he worked for the Texas Department of Corrections in Huntsville, Texas. He also worked for John Purtle at Plaza Sheet Metal as Foreman and retired in 1985. He was a member of the Church of Christ at 15th and Crawford in Fort Scott, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Harrison, Ark.

In addition to his wife Della, James is survived by his children, Judith E. Hunt and husband Tom of White River Junction, Vt., James Conner, Jr., and wife Karen of Harrison, Ark., David L. Conner and wife Joelene of El Dorado, Kan.; step-children Regina Woodworth and husband Tom of Iola, Kan., John O'Dell and wife Roberta of Fort Scott, and Nick O'Dell and wife Kathy of Hiattville, Kan.; 21 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; and two brothers, Charles Conner and David Conner.

Rev. Mike Chipman will conduct funeral services 10 a.m. Monday, June 2, 2014 at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at the Hiattville Cemetery. Military Honors conducted at the cemetery by the Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Detail. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 1, 2014 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of Christ and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be emailed to expressions@konantz-cheney.com.