Ed Conner

Cecil Edward Ed Conner, 63, of Virden, NM, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center in Safford. He was born on September 15, 1949 in Phoenix, to Otis Odell Conner, and Zola Ann Mentzer Conner. He married Sherry Richins on March 11, 1994 in Mesa, AZ. Ed attended school in Phoenix and graduated from Maryvalle High School. He was very patriotic and served his country in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman serving with U.S. Marine Corps., he served in Vietnam, Guam, and San Diego. Upon returning from serving his country he began working as an ironworker in commercial construction. After many injuries, he changed his career from ironworker to welder. He held all welding certifications available at the time. He graduated from NAU with a degree in Construction Technology and taught wood shop, computers, welding, in Maricopa and Willcox. He gained a love for baseball from his mother, and he coached baseball, football, and wrestling. Ed was always patriotic, even after he was ill he did presentations to schools on Veterans Day. He was always building props for Sherry to use in her class room and always made learning fun for the students. He loved his grandchildren, golf, shooting, traveling, hunting, fishing, and music. Ed is survived by his wife, Sherry of Virden, NM; sons, Derick Edward Conner of Ft. Grant, Noel Jonathon Conner of Phoenix, Jacob Russell Conner of Phoenix, James Dean Rapier of Safford, and Wesley J. (Laura) Rapier of Safford; daughters, Michelle Dawn (Joe) Taylor of Mesa, and Carol Lyn (Jody) Calhoun of Sahuarita; a brother, Jimi Conner of Washington; and 23 grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Duncan LDS Stake Center, with Bishop Buddy Jensen officiating. Viewing will be one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in the National Memorial Cemetery of AZ, at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 29, 2013, with full military honors.