BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!
CDR Lawrence O. (Larry) Conner, USN Ret., 83, of Virginia Beach went to be with the Lord on October 19, 2014. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on May 26th 1931 to the late Dewey and Agnes Conner. Larry was married to Mary Elizabeth “Lib” Quinn for fifty nine years. He was predeceased by his brother, Dewey Conner. Larry was a career Naval Aviator serving twenty three years before retiring in 1977. From 1995 to 2010 he enjoyed a second career being a substitute teacher at Cox High School. Naval aviation and working with our youth were two of his greatest passions.
Larry is survived by his wife, 3 sons; Larry Jr (Sarah) of Virginia Beach, VA, Kevin of Williamsburg, VA, Paul (Charlotte) of Bealeton, VA. 4 grandchildren; Lindsey, Elisabeth, Sara, Stacey; his brother Mike (Gale) Conner of Lilburn, Georgia; extended family Daphne Oliver, Jesse (Monica) Murrell, Susan Conner, Katie O’Rourke, Tracy (Leif) Mollo, Jennifer (Paul) King, Larry Sullivan.
Larry received his BS in Industrial Management from Auburn University and his commission in the United States Navy as an Ensign in December 1954. In June of 1956 he earned his Navy Wings. The FJ-4B Fury and the A-3D Sky Warrior were his two favorite aircraft. During his Navy career he served with the following commands:
VA22/VF63 Squadrons (Alameda)
CIC – Combat Information Center (Brunswick)
VAP-62 – Heavy Photographic Squadron (Jacksonville)
VQ2 – Fleet Air Reconnaissance (Rota Spain/Vietnam VQ1)
COMFEWSG – Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group (Norfolk)
JSC (Joint Staff Command)(Weisbaden)
JINTACS (Joint Interoperability of Tactical Command and Control Systems)(Dam Neck)
Final tour of duty in Intel and IT stationed at the Pentagon
Outside of his Navy career Larry was always very active working and volunteering in many areas:
Covered High School sports for the Atlanta Constitution
Ran Cross Country for the University of Georgia at Atlanta
Sports Editor for the Auburn Plainsmen, Auburn University
Worked with DoD consultant firms (PRC, INCO, API)
Substitute teacher at Cox High School for fifteen years
Officiated at the polls on election days
Flew Lear jets with Flight International
Taught Sunday School classes for teens
Led youth groups
Coached sports in Football, baseball, and softball
Contact Crisis Hot Line
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the Baylake United Methodist Church, 4300 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach at 10 am on Saturday Oct 25th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Larry’s memory to the Hospice & Palliative Care of Tidewater at 260 Grayson Road, Virginia Beach, Va. 23462, Olive Branch International at PO Box 748, Norfolk, Va. 23501-0748 or a charity of your choice. Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences via the “Condolences and Tributes” tab.
Larry,
So sorry to hear about your Dad. I only met him once, but he made a lasting impression on me. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Traycee
We shall truly miss Larry Senior, he was an inspiration to us all! He contributed so much to his community and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lib, you and Larry have been such precious friends over the years to Rick and me. Now they are both with our Lord, celebrating their new life with Him. May the Lord comfort you and your family as you grieve Larry’s passing, for I know he will be missed by all who knew him and his infectious smile! He was such a fun-loving, godly man who loved his dear Lib!
Lib,Larry and Lis,
Your husband,dad and grandfather was one of the first people to make Kirstin feel welcome in a new place when we moved to the area in 2003. Lib, you and your husband opened your hearts and home to Kirstin and made her feel like a member of the family. His love for young people was abundantly obvious and as an educator I know substitute teaching requires a special love and heart for young adults.
Please be assured of our love and prayers for the family as you grieve the loss of a beloved man.
Lib/Snapper:
Our thoughts and prayers go with you through these days. Larry was a kind and gentle soul, he will be missed.
God Bless You!
I am so saddened to hear the news about Cdr. Conner’s passing. He was always so kind to us Baylake Pines kids growing up. He will be missed. Condolences to the entire family…
I am so VERY sorry for your families loss
May he REST IN PEACE.
My heart is broken. I am so blessed to have been able to call this man my grandfather. He passed away surrounded by family and holding my grandmothers hand, his wife and best friend of 60 years. He was such a caring man, who put everyone else’s needs in front of his own. Although the last few months were hard on him, he lived such a fantastic life. I hope I grow up to even be half the person he was. Pop c, I love you. You are so greatly missed, but now I have my own guardian angel looking out after me. Rest in peace
Yesterday a light went out in the world, but an even brighter one has lit up beyond it cradling us with the undying soul of pop c. I am hurt and sad but cannot help but smile because he has lived such a life full of passion and love and has left a mark on me and all the people he has been able to shine his light on. He has also taught me what true love is and I know he still looks at my beautiful grandmother with the same eyes as when they were first married sixty years ago. He told me the secret to true love is to get married for a day and then never leave your honey moon. You were the best man I have ever met and now you are the best soul who will watch over all of is with love in your eyes and bunny ears behind all of us
Larry and family, Steven and I are sorry you have experienced such a loss. We were not lucky enough to have met your father, however he sounds to have been a true light in many lives. We are very greatful you offered your time to us during a time I’m certain you would have preferred to have been elsewhere, thank you. If any of us were to ever know the exact moment life presents such permanent changes I believe we would all look back and wished we’d made different choices on where we would have been at that moment in time. However, none of us have that vision and cannot burden our hearts with “I should have done this or that”. I’m certain your father knew how much you cared for and loved him, that can be taken away from neither of you. Our sincere condolences. Barb & Steve York
Larry was a dear,dear friend and will be missed. He lifted the lives of all who knew him. Rest in peace my friend and my brother.
Win and I are so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. We will miss his cheerful presence at the polls. Tyler always spoke so fondly of Mr. Connor, not only as Linds’ grandfather, but also as a substitute at Cox. Larry truly wore many hats. We know you are grieving as a family, but there is a hole in Baylake Pines too.
We were so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. Our prayers are with you all. His legacy will live on in the lives of all children who benefited from his teaching and his wonderful stories. He was always a willing worker in the Lord’s harvest fields.
My grandfather- the greatest man I’ve ever known died today. War hero. Gentleman. Leader. Tough but compassionate. Selfless and caring but humble. Mr. Lawrence Oliver Conner Sr. You are the mold of what a great man should be and it is an honor to be your grandson. You lived an amazing awesome life that most would be jealous of. For everyone that are friends, family, students, and neighbors, we are truly blessed to be around such a real, truly good person. R.I.P Mr. Conner
Lib and family,
The news of the loss of Larry caught in my throat. My heart felt sympathy goes out to you and the whole extended Conner family. I have the greatest memories of Larry. He was a friend, a hero, leader, and mentor.
I learned so much from Larry (and Lib)and I still strive today to carry on the calm, genuine, sincere demeanor that Larry gave us, and his positive outlook on the world around us. He was never afraid to stand up to adversity. Let us not forget the greater good Larry’s leadership brought to the Baylake Pine/Baylake Beach community during his years as president of the civic league and his continuing never ending support of the community. I will not forget the lessons Larry gave to us. God bless Larry, Lib, and the whole family. The world has lost a hero. Nick May
It was my pleasure to have met you both and I really enjoyed taking care of Mr. Conner. His saying of which I will cherish” I will wear your smile upon my lips”. God bless your soul and now Larry is walking the golden streets of heaven.
Last night I lost my grandfather, Pop C. He was the most influential person I will ever have been blessed to know. I am grateful I am able to call this man my grandfather. He was known by many and touched many people’s lives. My grandfather would have done anything and everything he could to make his family happy. He died with his family around him, and my amazing grandmother, his wife for 60 years, holding his hand. He can finally rest easy and be our guardian. I miss him already but the memories of him will never die. I love you so much Pop C.
Lib and family,It was with great sadness that we saw the news of Larry’s passing. But we really felt blessed to have known Larry for the short period of his life that we did. His ever present smile and pleasing personality will be greatly missed, but not forgotten. May God’s peace and blessings be with you and family.
Dear Conner Family (Kevin, Mrs. Conner, Larry, etc.)
I am so very sorry to hear of Mr. Conner’s passing. I had not seen Mr. Conner in years, yet my memories remain strong and special. He was one of the most loving, honest, influential men of my teenage years. Whenever I, or one of our gang, needed help or guidance, he and Mrs. Conner were there to providing loving support, words of wisdom and trusted advice. They taught me much about Christianity, through example and how they lived their lives.
His laugh and love of fun was so special. I remember travels through the mountains of Virginia and Pennsylvania, talks around the campfire and help repairing my first car – an old Volkswagen convertible.
Mr. Conner will be missed by so many. However, his legacy lives on in his sons, grandchildren and all of the children’s lives he touched; mine included.
Rest in Peace and Thank You,
Karen
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. We hope God gives you the strength in these trying times to celebrate a wonderful life spent in the service of others. Larry was a patriot, and a good, and decent man. He will be sorely missed. God Bless.
Tom and Eleta
So very sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. His wonderful smile will be missed in Baylake Pines! Our prayers to your family at this time of loss.
Scott and Connie Harris
Our deepest sympathy in your loss. Larry was a great friend and a great man.
So sorry to hear of Larry’s passing – I will always remember his bright smile and kindness to all. Lib, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless You.
So sorry for your loss. we are lifting all of you you up in prayer. May our Lord comfort you at this time. love Mike and Cathy Bowers
We have attended the chapel at Little Creek for many years and witnessed the Christian influence Larry had on so many people. His voice in the choir, his testimonials, reading of the gospel and definitely his handshake and smile will be missed. May God be with each member of his family as they grieve the loss of one so dear!
Dad (Rick High) shared the sad news with me last week. I’m so glad I got to say hello to him when we in town during the summer. His smile lit up a room, so much so that I always missed him when he wasn’t there. I feel blessed having been in the presence of someone who beamed with love and God’s light. May you find peace during this difficult time.
Much love,
Tanya, Doug, Cass and Alex Brooks
With a heavy heart I send my love to Larry’s family, especially my cousin, Mary Lib. Larry was always so sweet, kind, great smile and a gentle sense of humor, especially with Mary Lib’s family! Larry had a huge heart and will be missed. May God’s love hold on to the entire Conner family at this time and always. Love you, Missy
Lib & Family, So sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. During our three years when we served with you, Larry was a constant inspiration to us. Steve was never more proud than to stand together with Larry, both in their dress blues, at a Veterans Day worship service at NAB Little Creek Chapel…will never forget that special day. Farewell, shipmate, until we meet again in heaven…eternally bonded by God & country.