JAMES THOMAS MCCONNELL
March 4, 1926 ~ February 20, 2017
James was born March 4, 1926 in Minco, OK to Fred and Mamie McConnell. He grew up in Minco and attended Minco Public Schools there. He worked in the summer of 1943 in the shipyards of Richmond, CA as a ship fitters helper and came to know the ships.
James joined the U.S. Merchant Marines in October 1943. He served in the Pacific War Zone, the Atlantic War Zone and the Mediterranean Middle East War Zone during WWII. He completed high school after 12 years in the Minco Public Schools on May 12, 1944.
After the war, James farmed for 2 years and then went back into the Merchant Marines and served there until his retirement as Chief Engineer on December 1, 1985. During his this time, he was awarded the Vietnam Service Bar. He was selected for Officer School in February 1951 and completed school on April 12, 1951. James became an engineering officer in April 1951 and continued to advance in rank until he passed the examination for Chief Engineer on July 3, 1957.
James was initiated into the Saint Elmo Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of California on May 19, 1955. Raised October 13, 1966. He transferred to Mt. Hood #32. James is a member of the Ancient Order of Nobles of The Mystic Shrine. He became a member of The National Society of The Sons of the American Revolution by decent from Manual McConnell on March 26, 2002.
There will be a family gathering at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR, Wed., March 1st at 2:30 p.m.
Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
James and Ora (Lokey) were guests in our home on the lake in Texas several times, and we always enjoyed their visits. We also visited them in Vancouver. Great folks. Ora was my husband's aunt, the baby sister of his mom Kezzia.
March 10, 2017
Jim and Ora were great neighbors, always friendly and cordial.
Steve & Jan Sorensen
February 26, 2017
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