Stanley Jay MCCONNER Sr.

MCCONNER, Stanley Jay, Sr., 87, left this life peacefully on September 24, 2017, surrounded by friends and family. Survived by wife, Elizabeth; children, Michele and Stanley; grandchildren, Logan and Brian; and an abundance of extended family and friends. Born in Detroit, Stanley valued the power of education to improve people's lives, devoting over 40 years to that mission. He held positions in Higher and Continuing Education in Connecticut, Baltimore, and Chicago before settling in Tucson. He worked in TUSD at African American studies and Doolen Middle School. He created a Saturday program to help students who wished to improve academics, nourishing and guiding their aspirations for 19 years while modeling dignity and persistence. He was on the vestry and an usher at St. Philip's in the Hills. He enjoyed family, music, art, cooking, running and travel. He will be missed for his sense of humor and storytelling that informed and uplifted. With his nobility, wisdom, and generosity of spirit, he greeted the world with unconditional love and kindness. Memorial Service at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 2, 2017 at St Philip's in the Hills. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to St. Philip's or Southern AZ Alzheimer's Association Arrangements by DESERT ROSE HEATHER MORTUARY.