Donald Connell, age 87, passed away July 15, 2020 after a long illness at home in Carrollton, Tx. Born February 21, 1933 in Richmond, VA to the late David Connell and Anne Bramer Connell, Donald is an U.S.Army Veteran, honorably discharged. He was raised and educated in Richmond, VA, then graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, CommonWealth University (RPI), and The University of Richmond. He worked his way through college while employed by Capital Airlines, which merged into United Airlines and became his career for 51 years, many of those as District Sales Manager. As well as being located in VIrginia, Donald relocated to Florida, California, New York State, and to Texas, from where he also commuted by air to Colorado until retirement.
While in Virginia, Donald married Shirley Purdy. They raised their three children through graduation from high school, preceding a divorce. Years later, on June 9, 1984, Don married Laurie Walker Helmer DeMar, followed by a honeymoon to four Hawaiian islands. After, they continued to raise Laurie’s children from her prior marriage, D. Jeremy DeMar and Jennifer E. DeMar. Don and Laurie’s son, Adam P. Connell, was born in Rochester, NY before the family of five moved to Texas in 1988. Currently so, Don Connell, lives in Newark, NY, son David Connell lives in Rowlett, TX, daughter Dana Connell (Mrs. David Wolf) lives in Akron, NY. D. Jeremy DeMar lives in Springfield, MA with his wife, Heather, and two sons, Austin and Zachary, and daughter, Morgan. Jennifer DeMar and son, Cameron, who resided in New York State for a few years, have returned to live in Carrollton, TX with Laurie.
Donald was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: David, Pauline, Anne, John, Joe, and twins Jeanne and Jacquelyn. He kept in contact with most of their children: Anne Pitts’ sons David, Carl, and Paul Pitts, Joe’s son (Little) Joe Connell, and Jeanne Huff’s sons Mark, John, and Jim Huff.
As a child, Don enjoyed all sports, fishing, crabbing, and boating on the Potomac River. In his later years, he continued to enjoy fishing and boating on Lake Lewisville in Texas. Sometimes with children and sometimes solely Donald and Laurie, were fortunate to travel. There were several week long cruises to different Caribbean Islands and once to Alaska and once on the Mississippi River. Following graduation from college, Dana accompanied them to Japan, Hong Kong, China, and Makao. More flights and some road trips took the couple to many U.S. states. All made for grand memories.
As per Donald’s request, plans are for cremation at Rhoton Funeral Home in Carrollton. His cremains will be kept at home in a specially selected oval box (urn) topped by a fisherman holding up his 26 inch 10# - catch while seated in an oared rowboat floating on a calm lake. All who know Don will know he would approve of our choice. No memorial is scheduled at this time, but please keep Donald Connell and family in your prayers.
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