John T. Connor

John T. Connor, 84, of Anamosa, passed away Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, at Jones Regional Medical Center in Anamosa. An open house, to celebrate the life of John, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the Connor residence.

John Thomas Connor was born Feb. 22, 1928, to Guy and Francis Briggs Connor in Muscatine, Iowa. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II where he received a Victory Medal. He graduated from Muscatine High School in 1946 and Drake University in 1952. He was united in marriage to Carolyn Fisher on Feb. 17, 1990, in Maui, Hawaii. John worked at Westway Trading Corp. as senior vice president in Minneapolis from 1968 until his retirement in 1994. He was also president of Westway Transportation and continued as a consultant for both companies until 1999. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and skiing. John was a member of First Congregational Church, Blue Lodge, American Legion and Kaaba Shrine. His greatest joy came from the time he had with his grandchildren and the moments with them as they became young adults.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children, Jeffery (Charlie) Connor of Shabbona, Ill., Jennifer (James) Andreen of Eden Prairie, Minn., Rick (Sheila) Fisher of Cedar Rapids, Leann Jenson and Brenda (JR) Myers, both of Marion, and James Fisher of Hiawatha; grandchildren, Kaia and Arik Andreen, Jeff, Cale and Austin Fisher, Isaak Rowley, Sarisa (Wayne) Placzek, Andrew (fiancee Alysha) and Nathan Jenson, Zack, Gabe and Nash Fisher and Lauryn and Cade Myers; two great-grandchildren, Brynn and Isabella; and a sister, Patricia (Vernon) Hoeksema of Tampa, Fla.

John was preceded in death by his parents; eight brothers, Howard, William, Robert, Donald, Richard, Charles and Chester; three sisters, Eleanor, Betty and Joan; and many nephews and nieces.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.iowacremation.com.

Published in The Gazette Feb. 19, 2013.