JACK and PAULINE MCCONNELL

JACK MCCONNELL

July 8, 1922 - June 4, 2012

PAULINE MCCONNELL

Jan. 9, 1925 - June 4, 2012

After sixty six years of marriage Jack and Pauline McConnell of El Centro passed away together in the early hours of June 4, 2012.
Jack was born in Long Beach CA on July 8, 1922 while his mother was vacationing there for the summer. Jack was just a month shy of turning 90. Pauline was born in Alhambra CA, on January 9, 1925 and was 87.
Jack graduated from Central Union High School and Los Angeles Business College. Jack volunteered to serve his county by joining the Merchant Marines in 1942 during WWII. Pauline graduated from Huntington Park High School in Huntington Park, CA and attended UCLA. Pauline worked as a key punch operator at The Pacific Logistic Command Center in San Pedro during WW II. Jack and Pauline met in San Pedro while on a double date during the war. Jack returned to the Imperial Valley after being honorably discharged and began working at Bank of America and the family farm. The family farm needed more of his energies so he decided to farm full time.
Jack and Pauline were married at the Methodist Church in El Centro on April 14, 1946, built their own home on McConnell Ranch and raised three children.
Jack and Pauline were extremely active contributors to the Imperial Valley community and members of many organizations including the Imperial County Farm Bureau, Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West, Masonic Temple, Eastern Star, Women's Ten Thousand Club, The Methodist Church, Micro Midget Racing Association, The Dairy Association, CA Women for Agriculture, Republican Women, VFW, Imperial County Deputy Reserve, and were 4-H, and FFA leaders. Pauline received numerous culinary awards from various cooking competitions at the CA Mid-Winter Fair, Carrot Festival, Sweet Onion Festival and Saladero Contest, just to name a few. Pauline served on the California Mid-Winter Fair Board of Directors. Jack received many trophies for Micro Midget Racing across the Desert Southwest and was honored for his service to the many organizations to which he belonged. Jack and Pauline conducted agricultural tours of the valley for many tourist groups from around the globe.
The McConnell Family has continuously lived on the McConnell Ranch for over 104 years and the Ranch has been dedicated by the Native Sons of the Golden West as a historical site. In 2007 Jack and Pauline were honored with the Farmer of the Year Award by the Imperial County Farm Bureau.
Jack and Pauline are survived by their son Jim (Carolyn) McConnell and daughter Paula (David) Pangle. They are also survived by 7 grandchildren Chris (Leandra) Denton, Bryan (Tasha) Denton, Stephanie (Jason) Schuitt, David Jr. (Katherine) Pangle, Carrie (Tony) Questel, Katherine McConnell, Jack McConnell and 10 great- grandchildren Derek, Bradley, Kaya, Bryce, Jeremy, Faith, Summer, Jack, Zella, Davis and one on the way. Jack is also survived by his sister Loris Baker. Pauline and Jack were preceded in death by their infant son John Leslie McConnell and their daughter Janet (McConnell) Denton.
A memorial service will be held Monday June 11, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at The Swiss Club, 1585 Worthington Rd. in Holtville, CA. The graveside service will be held on Tuesday June 12th at 8:30 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery 20 East Gillett Rd. in El Centro. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Native Sons of the Golden West DeAnza Parlor #312 or The Imperial County Farm Bureau Scholarship Fund.