Donald Conner

Services are scheduled Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at Hermosa Church of Christ for Donald Eugene Conner of Artesia, NM.

The son of Joseph Jack Conner and Bertha Etta Posey Conner, Don was born March 16, 1931, in Pyote, Texas, and gained his wings on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at his home in Artesia, NM.

Donald graduated from Lamesa High School, Lamesa TX and attended Abilene Christian
College. He returned home and on July 15, 1951 married the love of his life, Mary Lee Clawson.

Don worked for Gulf Exploration for several years traveling all over the western United States. He and Mary Lee returned to and settled in Artesia, NM in 1956 where he worked in maintenance at AMAX Potash Mine for 38 years. Don also had a side job with Fireball Irrigation installing irrigation systems.

Don coached Little League, Babe Ruth, and All Stars baseball for 17 years and upon retiring from coaching, continued with his love of the game by umpiring baseball and softball for 20 years. Don loved bow hunting and was a charter member of the Artesia Bow Club. He was a member of the Artesia Senior Center and in the 1980s he was a member of the Knothead bowling team. He participated for many years in Senior Olympics in the sports of Archery, Bowling, Shuffleboard and Track winning many medals. Don loved football and won the Pigskin Payoff multiple times over the years. He never missed an Artesia home football game or a Pittsburgh Steelers game on television.

Don and Mary Lee were founding members of the Hermosa Drive Church of Christ and were lifelong members. He was installed as a Deacon in January 1980. They became house parents at the church sponsored Hermosa Heights Children's Home in Artesia where they fostered numerous children.

He was affectionately knows as Poppa Don, Daddy, Poppa, Big Poppa and Coach and
enthusiastically supported the many activities of all his children his children's friends and the boys he coached.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years Mary Lee Clawson Conner, his parents Jack and Bertha Conner, his sister Jackie Taylor and brother-in-law Idos Taylor, sister-in-law Geri Graham and brother-in-law Shelby Graham, son-in-law Stephen Grayson, grandsons David Conner, Eric Conner and Shawn Goss.

Survivors include his children, son Mike Conner and wife Setsuko, daughters, Teresa Horn and husband Robert, Valri Mariscal and husband Anthony, Lori Thomas and husband Brad, and Caryle Goss and husband Michael. He is the proud Grandfather of 14 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to your favorite children's home or to Artesia Classical Academy. Donations to the Academy may be dropped off at Hermosa Church of Christ, 2512 W. Bush, Artesia, NM, or mailed to PO Box 232, Artesia, NM 88211-0232 .