Winston Connor's Obituary
Winston Henry Connor (the original), 74, left his earthly home in Cornelius, NC to meet his “real” Father in Heaven on October 12, 2016 at 11:22 AM after a long, valiant fight with metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. He was born June 2, 1942 in Tampa, Florida and held a Bachelor’s degree from LSU and a Masters degree from Loyola University of New Orleans. He served his country overseas in Japan and received an honorable discharged from the U.S. Air Force. He met the love of his life on a blind date and they fell in love through their letters. They married February 16, 1963 in Marrero, Louisiana. He was employed at Shell Chemical that later became Huntsman where he retired from his position as Executive Vice President of Human Resources. He then became a Master level Certified Coach where he was able to assist corporations, teams, and individuals.
Winston spent a portion of his young life in a Salvation Army home in Tampa, Florida. He has been forever grateful to that organization for placing him with his “Momma Flora and Daddy Miller.” They helped to shape him into the amazing man he became.
After retiring, he and his wife liked to visit Jamaica. Also, he enjoyed sitting on the porch of his Lake Norman home as he felt the breeze and listened to his chimes. He was always in awe of the beauty around him. He always looked at challenges in his life as opportunities. As a result, he was “truly blessed” crediting God, hard work, and sacrifice. Family has always been important to him and he cherished every minute he had with his wife, children and grandkids.
Survivors include: the love of his life and wife of 53 years, Barbara Connor, their two children, Winston Henry Connor II (wife - Carrie) of Grove, OK, and Darlene Faye Dubrow (husband - Rob) of Asheville, NC, three grandchildren, Winston Henry Connor III, Joshua Ian Dubrow (wife - Samantha), and Cheryl Faye Dubrow. Two foster siblings also survive him, Jerry Miller, Jr. and Elizabeth (aka. Betty) Miller.
The deaths of his biological mother, Annie Laura Crawford Hovik, and his foster brother, Bob Miller, preceded Winston’s passing.
A celebration of his life occurred in the Chapel at Lake Norman Baptist Church, 7921 Sam Furr Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078 on October 16, 2016 at 2 PM. A private ceremony will occur at Northlake Memorial Gardens, Alexanderana Rd., Huntersville, NC at a later date. James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the Connor family and online condolences can be made at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
Prior to his death, Winston asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory noted as “memorial donation for Winston Connor” to the Salvation Army Tampa Corps, Tampa, 1100 W. Sligh Ave, Florida 33617 and/or Samaritan’s Purse, 801 Bamboo Rd., Boone, NC. 28607.
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