Conner, Donald McClendon Obituary

Conner, Donald McClendon attended Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Conner, Donald Mcclendon.

Graduation Year	Class of 1933
Date of Passing	Jun 04, 2010
About	Donald, 95, a native and lifelong resident of Wilton, died following a long illness. Donald was born April 28, 1915 on Clay Station Road in Wilton to Roy and Emily (Thompson) Conner. He grew up in Wilton, attending Lee School and graduating from Elk Grove High School 1933 and Sacramento City Collge in 1935. When he was about 7 years old, he accompanied his parents to the home of Leatha and George Stout to see their new baby girl, Elma Arlene. On the way home he told his parents that she was a pretty baby. In 1933 when she was working at her parents' store in Wilton, he began courting her in earnest and the two were married August 3, 1940. He worked on dredgers in Folsom and the Mother Lode country for a couple of years before they returned to Wilton and lived on the dairy on Dillard Road. They settled in their present home on Cosumnes Road shortly after and Donald began the operation of Conner Feed Store in Wilton in 1946, later Conner Feed and Fertilizer operating it till his retirement. He was an active member of the Elk Grove Masonic Lodge No. 173, serving as Worthy Master in 1947 and was its oldest member at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies and a past patron of the Order of the Eastern Star in Elk Grove. He was a Wilton Fire Department commissioner for 23 years until his retirement in 1987. The couple enjoyed cruises, especially to Alaska, as well traveling in their RV. They also loved to dance. Donald was an avid sports fan, especially baseball and football. He was a well-read man and loved to reminisce about the "good old days" especially walking to school on the country roads, rain or shine. "He was a man of few words, physically strong and yet such a tender person," his family said. "A genuine person -- kind-hearted, intelligent, honest, and dedicated. Mr. Conner was preceded in death by his brothers Robert and Lowell Conner, sister Virginia Roberts and daughters Carolyn and Charlene Conner. He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Elma Conner of Wilton: children Sharon Eaton of Ukiah, Dr. Gary Conner and wife Susan of Elk Grove, and Steve Conner and wife Mary of Wilton; eight grandchildren; Donald Schmidt, Lauri Monnette, Sara Hogan, Kenny Eaton, Michael Eaton, Kristin Conner, Steve Conner and Luke Conner.; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Services were held at East Lawn Elk Grove Mortuary. Internment was in the Elk Grove District Cemetery - Information from the Elk Grove Citizen.