Michael Arthur McConnell

1947 - 2023

Michael Arthur McConnell
January 15, 1947 - March 25, 2023
Fort Worth, Texas - Michael Arthur McConnell passed away peacefully with family by his side after a brave battle with cancer on Saturday, March 25, at the age of 76.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 31, at All Saints' Episcopal Church, at 5001 Crestline Rd., in Fort Worth celebrated by Fr. Darryl Pigéon. A reception will follow at River Crest Country Club.
Born in Fort Worth, Mike was the son of Peggy Donnelly McConnell. He attended Nolan Catholic High School where he met his lifelong best friend and love, Patti Lukeman. After graduating Loyola University New Orleans, Mike and Patti were married on May 29th, 1969. While preparing to enter law school, Mike received his draft notice. He then volunteered for the U. S. Air Force where he was selected as a Mandarin Chinese language specialist. He joined the 6990th Security Squadron flying on high altitude reconnaissance missions on RC-135's out of Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, logging over 1000 hours in the air. During Mike's time in the service, Mike and Patti were stationed many places both domestic and abroad. Mike was discharged as a Sergeant and received many honors including an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Under a bashful smile and quiet persona, laid a keen intellect and a brilliant mind. An avid lover of books, Mike was a student of military history. With 3 friends with whom he shared a similar passion, Mike studied World War II history at Cambridge and Oxford.
From the time when he was a small child growing up at Eagle Mountain Lake, Mike started a lifelong love of sailing. Mike sailed many regattas representing the Fort Worth Boat Club. By the time he was 17 he had won the FWBC Junior Championship with many awards to follow. Under the guidance of his many sailing mentors, Mike sailed competitively for over 50 years. He held every office at the Boat Club and was named Commodore in 1987.
Mike began his legal career at the University of Texas School of Law in 1973. His first job in Fort Worth was a clerkship with United States District Judge, Eldon B. Mahon. Judge Mahon was his first legal mentor, and over the course of the next 10 years Mike practiced in several areas of bankruptcy law. In 1983, he was appointed as the U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Texas. In 1986, he returned to private practice, and over his nearly 50-year legal career has built a reputation as a leader in bankruptcy law and has participated in some of the most significant bankruptcy cases in this region. During Mike's career, he was a Partner in several law firms, finishing his career as Chairman of Kelly Hart & Hallman's Reorganization and Bankruptcy practice.
Mike's legal accomplishments and honors are too numerous to list, but perhaps his most cherished role was his work with the American Inns of Court. The American Inns of Court is an association of lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals from all levels and backgrounds who share a passion for professional excellence. The Inns seek to inspire the legal community to advance the rule of law by achieving the highest level of professionalism through example, education, and mentoring. Mike was a Founder of the John C. Ford American Inn of Court which is devoted to the practice of bankruptcy law. In 2013, Mike received the prestigious A. Sherman Christensen Award from the National Foundation of the American Inns of Court, in a ceremony in the United States Supreme Court recognizing his efforts to improve the American legal profession.
Lastly, Mike's love of family was all encompassing. He adored Patti, his three sons and their wives, and his six grandchildren. They were his light in life continually bringing him joy every day. To his friends he was kind, giving, and steadfast. With his family, Mike enjoyed many trips to New Orleans, Santa Fe, and made lasting memories with Patti in Europe and the Caribbean. He was preceded in death by his mother Peggy. He leaves behind his adored wife, Patti, his children Kevin McConnell and his wife, Monique, Ryan McConnell and his wife, Megan, and Colin McConnell and his wife, Emery; his grandchildren, Chloe and Will McConnell, Merril and Nancy McConnell, Keegan and Conor McConnell; his sister Connie McConnell Presley and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles.
The McConnell Family would like to extend a special thanks to the countless medical practitioners at UT Southwestern Medical Center who helped him through his battle with cancer, and for the love, support and prayers from family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to UT Southwestern Moncrief Cancer Institute.
Gifts can be received online at Moncrief.com/Ways-Give or mailed to Moncrief Cancer Institute Development Office, 400 W. Magnolia Ave.,Fort Worth, TX 76104.