Roy M. Conner

Roy M. Conner, age 82, passed away at Harrison Memorial Medical Center in Bremerton, WA. A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday July 3, 2019 in Ten Sleep, WY at the Ten Sleep SDA Church. The time is planned for 10:00 am with interment to follow at the Ten Sleep Cemetery. Roy was an active member of the Poulsbo Seventh Day Adventist Church in Poulsbo, WA.

Roy was born to Earl Leroy Conner and Ethel Lena Canaday Conner in Worland, WY on March 13, 2936. Roy spent his early years on the family ranch on Box Elder and Nowood Creeks south of Ten Sleep. When he was 4 years old, he lost both his mother and paternal grandmother within a 3-month period. He attended elementary school at Red Bank School, a one room school house south of Ten Sleep. He spent his high school years attending Mount Ellis Academy in Bozeman, MT. In 1953 during his sophomore year he was diagnosed with Polio and spent several months in the children’s hospital in Helena, MT. He was not one to let Polio get him down and when he was able to return to school, he continued being active in school activities. In his junior year he was elected Student Body Association President as well as Junior Class Chaplain, Sabbath School Superintendent, and Theology Club Chorister. After graduating from Mount Ellis Academy, he attended Walla Walla College in College Place, WA and majored in Theology.

On June 3, 1957 Roy married Rachel A. Wold. To that union were both Shari R. Conner and Robert M. Conner. In the late 1950’s Roy was drafted into the Army and after his tour of duty ended and having been inspired by the care and treatment received at the Helena Children’s Hospital, he decided to complete his goal of becoming a Physical Therapist. Roy though that military life suited him so he joined the Air Force through the Delayed Start Program. He and his family moved to Loma Linda, CA to complete his BS in Physical Therapy. The Air Force then sent the family on to Boston, MA where he completed his Master in Physical Therapy at Boston University. It was during his overseas duty in Anchorage, AK that Roy felt he would have a better chance for promotion if he switched to the Navy.

While awaiting his Navy commission, he moved with his family to Jametown, ND where he drove truck for his brother-in-law at Rhode’s Bake & Serve. In 1978 Roy was accepted into the Navy and was relocated to Jacksonville, FL to continue his work as a Physical Therapist..

On May 17, 1986 Roy married Kathy Jordan and they worked as mobile therapists traveling to different locations to fill in as needed. After his military service ended, they moved to Bremerton, WA in 1995 to care for Kathy’s parents, as well as to set up a private PT practice.

Roy is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kathy Jordon Conner, daughter Shari Conner Hill (Robert), son Robert Conner (Lisbeth), daughter Kathryne Ann McKinnon, daughter Jennifer Lynn Conner, four sisters Joy Russell (Ron), Cleora Manley, Jean Cates (Ed), Rosa Gillham (David), three brothers Charles Chamberlain, Bill Chamberlain (Phyllis), Fred Conner (Brenda), plus 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents and will be buried in the Conner Family plot at the foot of his mother’s grave to await his Lord’s return. Roy was truly an extraordinary man and was loved by all who knew him. Roy spent his life in service to others, he will be missed by family and all those who were affected by his great example of Christ’s love.