Edward James McConnell Jr.'s Obituary
Edward James McConnell, Jr., 90, formerly of Memphis, TN passed away peacefully, after a long illness, in Johns Creek, GA on May 12, 2018. He was born on October 28, 1927 in Seattle, WA to E. J. McConnell, Sr. and Rose Mae McConnell both of whom preceded him in death and Pauline Caughron McConnell who also preceded him in death. He leaves his son James P. McConnell, (Dixie McConnell), and daughters Deborah Gatewood, Lucinda J. Langford, and Belinda Leiberman. Jim leaves his wife of twenty years Rose Dugan McConnell of Johns Creek, GA, and his beloved stepdaughters Kathleen Riggs (Warren Riggs), Sandra Wray (Dwight Wray), Mary Jane Haggitt and Rose Anne Orman.Jim was a professional baseball player prior to starting his family. In 1951, he quit baseball to become a professional painter. In 1954, he founded McConnell & Johnson Painting and Sandblasting. In 1991, he retired and the company was closed. He was active in several organizations related to commercial painting and did multiple speaking engagements relating to the industry. Additionally, in 1963 he was elected President of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America. This organization helped to train commercial painters in all facets of their chosen field.Throughout his life, he was an avid athlete involving basketball, football, baseball and at one time a scratch golfer. One of the highlights of his athletic career was being inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Hernando Desoto Baseball League in 1990.The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 16 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. with the service to follow immediately at 11:30 a.m. All services will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery.
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