George Leander Conner

Born in 1928 in Hialeah, Florida while his parents were visiting family, George grew up in Brooksmith on Houston's near north-side.

At age 18 George signed on as a clerk for Humble Pipeline Company in Tomball, Texas. One day he took a report from "headquarters." The woman on the other end of the line turned out to be the love of his life. In June 1949 George married Theda Houlihan. For the next 65 years, together, they embraced life's challenges and enjoyed its blessings.

With commitment and the strong will that would define him, George worked his way up through company ranks in various financial and controller's positions – acquiring his CPA license along the way. After working over 38 years for "Pipeline," various Exxon predecessors and subsidiaries, George happily retired as part of Exxon's "class of '86."

George and Theda resolved early on to provide the foundation and encouragement to instill in their children an appreciation for the value of education. It was a point of immense pride for George that his children and all five grandchildren each earned degrees: "They've all got at least one," he would say.

Second only to family, George also was proud to serve as a Lion. He joined the Lion's Club in 1952 but, was quick to confide that he did not truly "become a Lion" until 1956 after he and Theda climbed on a bus for their first trip to the Texas Lions Camp at Kerrville. A fire ignited by the spark in one young camper's eye never went out. Among innumerable contributions of time, talent and treasure, George served as a District Governor, President of the Camp during its 50th anniversary year and was an active life-member on its board. He was inducted into the Texas Lions Hall of Fame in 1997.

George is survived by his best friend, travelling companion and wife of 65 years, Theda H. Conner; daughter Lea A. Conner, son Michael Conner and wife, Marcia DeBock, all of Houston; grandchildren, Maggie D. Conner (Houston and New York), David Crowder and wife, Jenny Van Winkle, MD (Houston), Lucien DeBock Conner (San Diego, CA), Megan Crowder Eastep and husband, Gavin Eastep (Forney, TX), and Dylan DeBock Conner (Houston); and, four great-grandchildren, Georgia, Wyatt, Allison and Briggs. George also is survived by his brothers, Warren Conner and wife, Sharon, William T. Conner, MD and wife, Mary, Maurice Conner, PhD and wife, Cora; brother-in-law, Melvin H. Hulsey; sister-in-law, Arlie Eldridge and husband, Frank; and by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and fellow Lions.

Following interment at a family service, a Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 1: 30 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 3816 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Texas Lions' Camp, PO Box 290247, Kerrville, Texas 78029; Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030; or the

charity of your choice

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