Roger Lynn Connor

  Roger Lynn Connor, 75, passed peacefully onto his eternal home, Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Known for his faith, kind spirit and love of family and friends, Roger touched the lives of many.

  Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Shady Grove Baptist Church, 2470 W. Lambert Rd, Weatherford, Texas, under the direction of Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel, Weatherford, Texas. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens of the Valley, Weatherford, Texas.

  Roger was born on January 26, 1950, in Tucson, Arizona, to Arthur J. and LaVerne (Wiersum) Connor. At the age of two, the family relocated to the Chicago, Illinois area. He grew up in Parkridge, Illinois, and graduated from Main South High School. During high school, he loved being outdoors, swimming competitively, sailing, and ice-skating during winter. He was also very active in the church youth group as a teen.

  He proudly served his country by joining the United States Navy in December 1969. He received his first cruise orders in November 1971, serving aboard the USS Coral Sea aircraft carrier in Tonkin Gulf waters during the Vietnam War, and a second cruise in the Tonkin Gulf in February 1973. It was while aboard the Coral Sea that he was trained to be an aircraft crash firefighter. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy in November 1973. After leaving the Navy, he worked for several civilian fire departments in Illinois, rejoining the Navy in February 1984, serving aboard the USS Kennedy - South American cruise and USS Saratoga - Mediterranean and Indian Ocean cruise. He completed his service with the Navy at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, in June 1991. After leaving the Navy in 1991, he worked as a crash firefighter at NAS Dallas, transferring to NAS JRB Fort Worth Carswell, where he retired from the Department of the Navy in March 2008 as a Captain.

  One of his passions was riding motorcycles and teaching others how to ride safely. He began teaching motorcycle safety while serving in the Navy and continued teaching after leaving the Navy at Tarrant County College. He was an avid NASCAR fan and never missed a race.

  He was preceded in death by his parents and stepson, Joseph Mackey O'Steen, Sr. 

  He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Ann Fraser Connor; son, Jeremy Connor of Euless; stepson, Patrick O'Steen and wife, Shasha of Flower Mound; grandchildren, Michael O'Steen (Deanna), Jessica Ditzler (Jace), Jennifer Heard (Ian), Joseph O'Steen, Jr., Dakota O'Steen (Amylea), and Emily O'Steen; three great-grandchildren, Maverick, Hadley, and Kayle; brother, Ralph Connor (Lynn); brother, Ken Connor (Leta); and numerous nieces and nephews.

  Roger's legacy of service, love for adventure, and dedication to family will be cherished forever. "To live in hearts, we leave behind is not to die."

  In Roger Connor’s memory, donations can be made to the National Vietnam War Museum at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/thenationalvietnamwarmuseum