Daniel Raymond Connor

Daniel Raymond Connor, 75, of Okemos, MI, passed away on July 15, 2022 with his loving wife by his side. Dan was born to the late Albert Raymond (“Ray”) Connor and the late Bernice McManus Connor in St. Louis, MO on January 13, 1947. He graduated from Southwest High School in St.Louis in 1964 and Central Missouri State University in 1971 with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing/Business Administration. He also served in the US Air Force from 1965 -1969 where he worked in Special Electronics and rose to the rank of Sargent. Dan married Linda Jeanne Lee on October 1, 1966 and they had just celebrated their 55th anniversary this past year. Dan worked for Mobil Oil Corporation for 23 years as a Territory Manager. Dan started his career with Mobil Oil in Willmar, MN, transferred to Minneapolis, then to LaCrosse, WI and finally to Okemos, MI. When he retired from Mobil in 1994, Dan continued his career in the oil industry as a co-owner of 2 AMOCO Gas Stations in the Lansing, MI area and also went on to work for Power Buying Dealers (PBD) as a Market Director of the Michigan Market. Never one to fully retire, he also worked as a Courier for Mercantile Bank and Dan worked multiple positions at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, MI, including Patient Safety Sitter, Patient Rep in the ER, and at the time of his death, he was still employed full time as a Lab Courier. Up until the past few years as his health was declining, Dan was very active in his Church. He held various offices at church over the years and he had a real passion for the annual “Last Supper” live drama at Church during Lent, where he played the part of Peter for several years.

Dan was the consummate gentleman and his big booming voice announcing “Dan Connor! How may I serve you?” is known and loved and remembered by many in his life. He loved to grill, he loved to collect oil memorabilia, he loved to camp up at Sleeping Bear Dunes in his Airstream, and he and Linda volunteered as Campground Hosts for 6 summers. Many of his friends would say he was a great storyteller; 80% was true and the rest was exaggeration. But above all else, he loved his family. Always the protector, he adored his children and grandchildren and Grampy’s catchphrase was always “Love you More.” He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda and their 3 children, Kathleen (Brian) Kleiver of Abu Dhabi, UAE; Christopher (Jennifer) Connor of Lake Orion, MI and Elizabeth (Dennis) Grounds of Okemos, MI, and by his 3 grandchildren: Anna, Nicholas and Olivia. Dan is also survived by his younger brother, Timothy (Peggy) Connor of House Springs, MO and many extended family and friends.

A visitation will take place at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 900 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI on Friday July 22nd, 5 pm - 8 pm. The Memorial Service will be on Saturday July 23rd @ 11 am (with a brief visitation starting @ 10 am) at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 5589 Van Atta Rd, Haslett, MI. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Dan’s memory to St. Luke Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or to Sparrow Hospice House of Mid-Michigan via www.sparrow.org.