Lawrence E. "Larry" Mcconnell

Lawrence E. "Larry" McConnell
Lawrence E. "Larry" McConnell, 84, passed away at his home in Medford on April 9.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. April 13, 2007 at the Hillcrest Mortuary, 2201 N. Phoenix Road, Medford. Larry was born in Mayville, Ore. in 1922 to John W. and Ida McConnell. He graduated from Wheeler County High School in Fossil, Ore. and worked for his father and other wheat ranchers before being drafted into the Army in 1943. He made Sergeant as a paratrooper in the 511th Airborne Signal Company serving in New Guinea, The Phillippines and was the first unit into Japan with General MacArthur after the Japanese surrender. He married Jane A. Gessler of Portland, Ore. in May, 1949. He worked as a telephone lineman with Bell Telephone for 8 years. He was transferred to Medford in May, 1954 with Reynolds Tobacco as a salesman. In 1957 he became a salesman for 3M Company, selling office equipment in Southern Oregon and Northern California. He retired after 27 years of service with 3M. In his retirement he enjoyed many years of woodworking and golf at Cedar Links Golf Course. He was a 27-year member of the Medford Elks and a member of the 11th Airborne Division Association.
He is survived by his wife, Jane, a son, J. Scott McConnell (Brigitte) of Stillwater, Minn.; a daughter Julie Hockema (Hal) of Seattle, Wash.; three grandchildren, Jillian Helleloid of Athens, Ga.; Lauren and Dane Hockema of Seattle, Wash.; two nieces and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother and and two sisters.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Rogue Valley Home Health & Hospice, Providence Home Care & Hospice or your favorite charity. Arrangements by Hillcrest Mortuary, 773-6162.