John Connolly

John Coleman Connolly of Dallas, TX, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, June 8, 2011.

Visitation will be at the Connolly home Friday, June 10, from 2-4 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday,June 11, at 10 a.m. at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Whitney, TX, with interment to follow at Bethlehem Cemetery in Whitney.

He was born March 31, 1918, in Whitney, TX, to John and Floy Connolly. Growing up during the Depression, John, at thirteen, was too soon the man of the house after his father’s death. John was a proud member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. On April 1, 1940, he married Katherine Mary Hawk, who was the love of his life. They were the parents of five children and shared 71 years
together.

After serving in the military, John became involved in the tool and die industry. He was the co-founder of Conso Tool and Die and later founded Connolly Tool and Engineering, which became the premier
designer and manufacturer of specialty dies and assembly machines in the Southwest.

His hobbies were hunting and working on his ranch in Freestone County, TX, where he raised cattle and grew hay. He was a wing shot par excellence . No one loved hunting more than John Connolly. Certainly the mourning dove population is safer now.

John was preceded in death by his brothers, Homer and Frank Connolly; his sister, Shirley Ott; his son,John Allen Connolly; and his granddaughter, Sharon Kay Willis.

John is survived by his wife, Katherine; his sons, James Connolly and his wife, Tina, of Plano, TX; Dr. Michael Connolly and his wife, Jan, of Nacogdoches, TX; his daughters, Betty Willis and her husband, Jerry, of Grandview, TX; Katherine Vance and her husband, Chuck, of Anna, TX; and his daughter-inlaw, Esther Connolly, of Copperas Cove, TX. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren.

John was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be missed greatly. In lieu of flowers memorial may be given in John’s name to the Ex-students Association Scholarship Fund, Whitney High School, POB 1305, Whitney TX. or the Whitney Museum, POB 1704, Whitney, TX 76692

Funeral Service

Saturday June 11, 2011 , 10:00 - AM at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors

Visitation

Friday June 10, 2011 , 2:00 - 4:00 - PM at Connolly Home

Visitation

Saturday June 11, 2011 , 8:00 - 9:45 - AM at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors

1-888-579-7953 Code: 28181


Facts Born: March 31, 1918
Place of Birth: Whitney, TX
Death: June 8, 2011
Place of Death: Dallas, TX
Hobbies: Hunting, Working of his ranch


Memorial Donations Memorial donations can be made to:
Ex-students Association Scholarship Fund, Whitney High School, POB 1305, Whitney, TX 76692 or the Whitney Mueseum, POB 1705, Whitney, TX 76692