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James Isaac McConnell (1925-2008) died November 7, 2008, following a long illness. Survivors include his wife, Velma; son, Josh and wife, Antonette; daughter, Sarah Montoya; and five grandchildren who were his special pride, joy, and delight. The grandchildren are Lorenzo Sisneros, Jaynie McConnell, Bennie James, Johnny and Anthony Montoya. A nephew, Matt Gandy and wife, Kelly and their children, Bailey and Garrison of Fort Worth, TX also survive him. His parents, James I. and Bessie B. McConnell; and a sister, Patsy McConnell Gandy preceded Jim in death. Many other family and friends will also miss him. He was born in Topeka, KS on September 2, 1925. He attended public schools there through the 9th grade. His family moved to Texas, where he completed his high school education at the Demonstration High School at North Texas University in Denton. He joined the US Navy in 1943, and was honorably discharged in 1946. He then enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin, and completed a BBA degree. Graduate study at Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, TN followed with a Bachelor of Divinity degree and ordination in the Congregational Church in 1950. He served churches in Florida and Kansas, and then moved to Texas where he taught elementary grades in Lamesa, TX and began graduate studies in education at Texas Tech in Lubbock. In 1961, he and his wife moved to Albuquerque and he continued graduate studies at UNM while working in schools in that area. In his later years he returned to the business field and health/social employment. From 1970 his life was mainly volunteer work in various peace and justice issues including Boy Scouts, Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice, Veterans for Peace, and Albuquerque Interfaith to name a few. A service of Celebration of his life and work will be held at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 5301 Ponderosa, NE, at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 22. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in his name to the Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice, 202 Harvard, SE 87106 or a similar organization of your choice.
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