L V Conner

LV “Cook” Conner was born October 10, 1927, in Pilot Grove, Texas. He was the son of Arthur Lee and Fanny Conner and was the youngest of six children: Donovan Lee “Red”, Captola Anderson, JB, Billy Ray, and Martha Jo Marlar. LV, better known as Cook to family and friends, was raised on a farm where his family raised cotton, livestock and orchards of peaches, pears, and pecans. The family owned and operated a cotton gin and managed a cotton harvesting crew. Many stories were shared about the portable roller-skating rink the family set up at county fairs. He attended grade school at Pilot Grove and high school at Whitewright, Texas where he participated in FFA, basketball and football. LV received a college basketball scholarship to play at Texas Christian University (TCU). He completed only one semester before being drafted in the United States Army during World War II. He was a Sergeant in the Signal Corp during the occupation of Japan and proudly served his country until he was honorably discharged along with four of his siblings, all who returned safely home. After being discharged, he returned to Pilot Grove to help on the family farm and worked in nearby Sherman, Texas at an iron foundry with his brother, JB. He applied for and accepted a job at the Phillips Petroleum Company in Borger, Texas as a firefighter, maintenance, and security. During his employment, he was severely injured in a tanker explosion and spent 18 months in a burn unit. In 1953, he moved to Arnold, Nebraska to work as a partner at Central Implement with his brother, Bill, and after 44 years he then retired. LV married Ruth Moritz, the love of his life, on June 8, 1957, and they celebrated over 65 wonderful anniversaries together. They raised two children, Marcia and Brad, while living in Arnold, Nebraska. LV served as a member of the Low-Income Housing board and Arnold Town Board. He played a large role in bringing a community swimming pool to Arnold. He was an active member of the St. Agnes Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6157, the American Legion Post #130 and whatever his wife, Ruth, was involved in. He had a deep love for family and was always ready to play with kids and especially his three granddaughters who meant the world to him. His quick wit and special pranks were known far and wide. Ruth and LV hosted many Conner and Moritz gatherings and thoroughly loved having family together. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather to three granddaughters. LV was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; parents, Arthur Lee and Fanny; siblings Donovan Lee “Red”, Captola Anderson, JB, Bill, and Martha Jo Marlar. He is survived by daughter Marcia (Dennis) Hill of Julesburg, Colorado; son Brad (Marabeth) Conner of Clay Center, Kansas; granddaughters: Aubrie Hill of Arvada, Colorado; Brenna (Christian) Kaufman of Wichita, Kansas; Payton (Drew) Kuckelman of Marysville, Kansas; Sister-In-Laws: Betti Moritz, Alice Conner; and many very special family members and friends. Rosary will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arnold, NE on Saturday, September 30th, 9:00 am, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00am. Immediately following Mass, Graveside Services will be held at Arnold Cemetery, and all are invited to attend the funeral reception at St. Agnes. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Agnes Catholic Church, Arnold, NE, or the Arnold American Legion Post #130 for the cemetery Flag Fund.