Thomas Lewis (T.L.) Conner, a son, brother, U.S. Navy Veteran, husband of 70 + years, father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, farmer, longtime church leader, friend, neighbor and local character died on September 19, 2018. Born April 21, 1922 to John Mack and Mary Ethel Keylon Conner on a farm on what is now Conner Island Industrial Park near Claysville in Marshall County, Alabama, he was a brother to four sisters.
T.L. saw the wide world aboard three ships in World War II as a Navy gunner, and saw lots of the U.S. as he hitchhiked across the country while on leave. He re-enlisted and was part of training others in the Korean War. He received the American Defense Ribbon with one star, the European Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon, the Philipine Liberation Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon with eight bronze engagement stars, the American Theatre Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal. His travels during the war instilled a lifelong passion for knowing places. If he heard of a town on the news that he didn’t know, he would immediately look it up, and wore out generations of atlas maps!
T.L. married Elizabeth Nell Rollings on March 31, 1948. They had six children and together raised them on a farm in the Mount High community, across from the old drive-in theatre. T.L. worked hard at farming alongside his “built in” labor force. After the death of Nell’s parents he also farmed their land in the Henryville Community. His daily motto was “If you aren’t hustling you are burning daylight.” Indeed it is hard to farm in the dark!
He was active in Marshall County Farmers Federation, serving as a member of the Board of Directors and as President. He was a long time member of Mt. High United Methodist Church. He also was involved with Soil Conservation Service and was an Assistant Scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 272. He lauded “Keeping America Beautiful” before it was ever a movement, and bemoaned trash on roadsides.
In retirement he loved traveling the country for reunions of shipmates from the USS David W. Taylor (perfect attendance record) and USS South Dakota.. He also made chocolate candy and delighted in giving it away to friends and strangers alike.
He is survived by daughters Denise (and husband Davis of Hillsborough, NC), Linda, and sons Charles (Donna), Tommy (Kim) and daughter-in-law Cheryl Lake, all of whom live locally. He wanted to shape and mold grandchildren Jason (Debbie), Joseph (Krista), Michelle (Jon), Beth (Billy) and great grandchildren Abbie, Slade and Aiden. He is also survived by sisters Bobbie (Bill) and Jane (Sonny), numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and exercise and breakfast buddies. Many family members have gone before him: daughter Martha Sue (who died in infancy), son Mike (who died in 2014), sisters Mildred and Dean, numerous cousins, and his wife Nell, who was buried two weeks before his death.
A service of Christ’s Resurrection and service of Thanksgiving and Memory will be held at Mount High UM Church on Saturday, September 22 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation an hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice that keeps America beautiful or preserves land, or to Mount High United Methodist Church or Henryville United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund.
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