Clifford McConnell

Clifford Duane McConnell left to be with our Lord on October 2, 2025, in the Norman Veterans Home. He was born on November 4, 1933, in Corbin, Kansas, to Clifford Glendon and Gladys Pauline McConnell. They moved to Blackwell in 1938 where Duane attended Blackwell public schools. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.
Duane began working at Blackwell Zinc Company in 1950 to 1954 until he was drafted to the United States Armed Forces in July of 1954. He was stationed in historic Wiesbaden Air Force Base in Germany with the 91st Anti-Aircraft Battalion where he served until, he left the Army in 1956. During his time in Germany, he served as a cook and as a mechanic. He was very proud of his service in the military. When he left the Army, he worked at Beech Aircraft Corporation as a welder for a short time, then went back to Blackwell Zinc Company. When Blackwell Zinc closed, he worked for United Fabrication until it's closing.
On July 20, 1956, he married Barbara Jean Danner and from that union there were two daughters, Phyllis McConnell Cobb and Pam McConnell Brown. The couple divorced in 1983.
Duane loved to work on cars, ride motorcycles, fishing and spending time with family. He was a member and was very active in the local American Legion and VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) associations in Blackwell.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Clifford and Pauline McConnell; brothers Larry, Ronald and Leon McConnell of Blackwell and one granddaughter, Shanell Westerheide of Edmond.
He is survived by one sister, Chris Angelino and husband Tony Angelino; two daughters Phyllis Cobb and husband Rhett of Edmond; Pam Brown and husband Mark of Chillicothe, MO; four granddaughters, Sabrina Stark and husband Paul of Edmond; Reese, Allie and Erin Brown of Chillicothe, MO; and seven great-grandchildren.
A family burial will be held at a later date. The family asked that in lieu of flowers please send donations to the Norman Veterans Center at PO Box 1668, Norman, OK 73070.