James M. Connor Sr.

KINGSTREE — James Manker “Jimmy” Connor, Sr., 83, widower of Lynn C. Connor, died Monday, November 23, 2009 in a Columbia hospital.
 
Mr. Connor was born May 26, 1926 in Brunson, SC, a son of Wallace Darlington and Emmie Louise Gooding Connor. He graduated from Kingstree High School in 1943, Clemson University in 1947, and University of S.C. School of Law in 1950. In 1997 he was awarded a Juris Doctorate Degree. Mr. Connor was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Navy and at the age of 17, served in the Pacific on an Air Rescue Boat. He was a member of the Naval Reserve from 1950 until his retirement as a Navy JAG Commander in 1986. In 1951, Jimmy married Lynn Couch. He shared a law practice in Kingstree, Connor & Connor, with his brother Wallace Connor for 51 years and served as Town Recorder for the Town of Kingstree. Jimmy became a member of the S.C. State Board of Education in 1968 and from 1968-1976, he was a member of the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). During this time, he represented NASBE in Russia, Egypt and Israel, American Samoa, and various places in the US. He served as president of NASBE in 1975 and past president in 1976.| Jimmy also served on an Educational Advisory Board to President Reagan. He was an active member of Kingstree United Methodist Church for many years. Jimmy enjoyed Clemson football, hunting, fishing, gardening, traveling, history, Big Band music, dancing, and time spent at the Lake House, but most of all he loved doing things with and for his family.
 
Survivors are: 3 children, James Manker “Jamie” Connor, Jr. of Brevard, NC, Laura Lynn Connor (David) Stout of Columbia, and Jane Connor (Ken) Hall of Pontiac; 7 grandchildren, Jay Connor, Jeremy Connor, Rosa Hall, Abby Hall, Hannah Stout, Bethany Stout and Katie Stout; several nieces and nephews.
 
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 30, 2009 at Kingstree United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Williamsburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Williamsburg Funeral Home Sunday evening from 7 to 8:30. Guests are also invited to visit with the family at the Connor home after the burial. Memorials may be made to Victory Ranch Ministries, 6549 Dorchester Street, Columbia, SC 29203.
 
Online condolences may be sent to the family in the obituaries section of:
 
www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com