Mack Martin Mcconnell

Mack Martin McConnell was born near Council Grove, Kansas on Feb. 6, 1936 and died at home in Dallas, Oregon on Feb. 29, 2016. He believed his illness was nobody's business and generally kept most things to himself. One of his favorite expressions was "damifino" which would really be "damned if I know." This works as an answer to "Do you know how fast you were going?" and Why did you do that?" He was a definite questioner of authority. He spent a portion of his young life in the Wren area where he was taught in a one-room school house. His fond memories of an 8th grade girl, Joycie, teaching him how to read and of being sent out to chop wood when he was beginning to get ornery. He said his only school field trips were to the mortuary and the prison.

He was the middle child of Sidney McConnell and Viola Litke, born on his mother's birthday. He could drive when he was 6 years old and had a host of farm chores, as did his sisters, Joyce and Sharon. Eventually, he left home and joined the Army and was sent to Korea. He counted the days until he could get out, even though he was awarded a commendation for being soldier of the month at least once. Eventually, he married twice and had kids. He did construction and then drove long haul trucks for a living. He prided himself on never going to Texas and on never getting on a plane once he was back from the Army. He retired from truck driving at Western Pulp Products to provide some company to Maggie McConnell Hammer, his step-mother, and then was able to be with his mother and his other close mother-figure, Alice Priest as their lives ended.

He had a special fondness for dogs and horses. He brought his dog, Leroy, to work in his truck and even drove to San Diego on a motorcycle with him. He enjoyed a trip to Montana with Charlie Pointer, who was a childhood friend, as a 70th birthday present. He enjoyed back roads, fishing, hunting and a good bargain, especially if it was an old car. He could fix nearly everything and had a knack for trading things to get something he wanted. He loved going to coffee with his buddies in Dallas each week day at Burger King. If someone didn't show up, one of the buddies would call. He counted them among his many true friends.

He had a great sense of humor and he enjoyed provoking laughter in others. He generally believed he was a lucky man and operated from the premise that things will work out. He is survived by his youngest sister, Sharon McConnell, who took care of him in his last months, his step-brothers, Bob Schafer and Vernon Schafer, his son, Carl McConnell, his daughter, Carol McConnell and his granddaughters, Maggie and Natalie Hatt and his dog, Pepper. Also surviving him are other family and friends, near and far, created by marriage, divorce and new alliances. No matter what the distance, he seemed to stay close. There will be no service and his remains will be interred at Willamette National Cemetery as were his wishes. At a later date, we may have a gathering of family, but damifino.

Farnstrom Mortuary is handling arrangements. Memories and condolences at FarnstromMortuary.com.