John D. Conners, 93
John D. Conners passed away peacefully Saturday, April 28, 2018, at home with family and friends by his side.
He was born in Great Falls on July 21, 1924, to Thomas and Catherine Conners. John attended Saint Maries Catholic School and later obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from the College of Great Falls.
He served in the Naval Air Corps and was trained in flying amphibious PBY’s.
Upon his return from service, he married Barbara Kennedy. He and Barbara had six children, all still living, and enjoyed a wonderful life together for an amazing 61 years until Barbara, the love of his life, passed away in 2007.
John built a career with Beatrice Companies. He basically started as a milkman in Great Falls and worked his way to Chicago to Beatrice’s home offices where he eventually retired in 1985 as vice chairman of the board of Beatrice, which had grown to a huge, worldwide corporate entity. John enjoyed great success in the corporate world and he and Barbara were able to experience and accomplish things most can only dream of. He stated many times he could never have enjoyed such great success except for the love and support of his wife Barbara.
John and Barbara retired to Whitefish in 1985 where they were reunited with old friends and held many memorable events at the family home there, including fish fries, weddings, lake parties, etc. John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara, brother Frank, sister Catherine, and many others.
He is survived by his six children, Patti of Kennewick, Washington; Tom (Jan) of Great Falls; Doug (Linda) of Kalispell; John P. (Sue) of Whitefish; Jeffery (Barbara) of Windsor, California; and Mike (Tracy) of Marietta, Georgia; 17 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren and counting!
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 5, at St. Charles Catholic Church with internment to follow. A celebration of John’s life will be held at the family home at 2100 Houston Drive in Whitefish at 2 p.m. Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the charity of your choice in John’s name.
Austin Funeral and Cremation Services in Whitefish are caring for the family. You may leave condolences on his tribute page at www.austinfh.com.