Thomas J. McConnell, 93, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025.
Thomas was born on June 28, 1931, to Thomas and Helen McConnell in Bronx, New York. At age 10, he learned of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the great depression, and how his family made it through. He played one basketball game in Madison Square Garden, to which he said he played lousy.
In 1949, he attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He married Maryhelen and began working as an industrial engineer with Cooper Tire and Rubber Company. He, Maryhelen, and son Bruce moved from Bowling Green to Findlay, the hometown of Cooper Tire, soon after.
After one year at Cooper in 1955, Thomas entered the Army. James Daniel was born in July. Soon after, he was shipped to Bamberg, Germany. Maryhelen and the boys joined TJ and lived there until Christmas Eve 1956, when TJ was discharged.
Returning to Findlay, TJ resumed his position with Cooper Tire and soon added daughter Amy to the family.
Near the end of the decade, Thomas was assigned to compile an estimate for a new tire plant, with equipment, layout, and cost estimates.
Thomas became the Human Relations Manager and moved to Texarkana, Arkansas, in January 1964, to the new plant. Thomas held the positions of Human Relations Manager, Production Manager, and his last year before retirement, Plant Manager. He retired after 35 years with Cooper in February 1989.
Thomas bought land and built a home in Bowie County, Texas, in 1965, where Thomas remained for the rest of his life.
Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, Maryhelen McConnell; parents and one grandchild, Jason McConnell.
He is survived by two sons, Bruce (Kathy) McConnell, Jim (Becki) McConnell, and daughter, Amy (Scott) Myers. Five grandchildren, Kristina (Cody) Eaves, Brian (Christy) Myers, Jordan (Tim) Connors, Anna McConnell, and Tayler Davis, and eleven great-great-grandchildren.
His family wishes to thank and acknowledge the love and incredible care given to him by Stacy Wiltshire.
