SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 8

In Memory

of

Reginald Connor Jr.

WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to a close with the passing of Reginald Reagan Connor Jr. of Walnut Grove on June 13, 2025, at the age of 90; and

WHEREAS, The son of Reginald and Sararose Connor, "Reg" Connor was born in Henderson on May 14, 1935, and he grew up in Whitehouse and Tyler with two siblings, Charles and Linda; he graduated from Tyler High School; and

WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Connor subsequently joined the U.S. Navy; he served on active duty and then with the Naval Reserve, and he attained the rating of chief quartermaster; following the completion of his military tenure, he attended Tyler Junior College and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from The University of Texas; and

WHEREAS, From 1962 to 1978, Mr. Connor served as an engineer at E-Systems in Garland, first with the Army Security Agency and then with the National Reconnaissance Office; next relocating to Walnut Grove, he worked as a consulting engineer in private practice for almost a decade; highly civically engaged, he was a longtime board member for East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, and in 1987, he joined the nonprofit's staff as vice president; he remained there until his retirement in 2009; additionally, he held a seat for 30 years on the Tyler Civic Theatre Board of Directors; a life member of the Texas Exes, he also belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution and the Sons of the Republic of Texas; and

WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Connor enjoyed the love and support of his wife, Sarah, with whom he shared a rewarding marriage spanning nearly six decades; the couple raised two children, Sean and Craig, and over the years, they welcomed four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren into their family; Mr. Connor treasured gatherings with his loved ones above all else; in his leisure time, he pursued his passions for gardening, farm projects, music, and genealogical research; and

WHEREAS, A man of honesty, intelligence, and principled leadership, Reg Connor earned the lasting respect and admiration of all who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Reginald Reagan Connor Jr. and extend heartfelt condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Sarah Connor; to his sons, Sean Connor and Craig Connor and his wife, Angie; to his grandchildren, Ali and Riley Connor, Aaron Tolbert, and Brittany Gideon; to his great-grandchildren, Tyler Tolbert and Brentley and Paislee Gideon; to his niece and nephews, Christine and Harrison Connor and Brian Knutzen; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Reg Connor.

Hughes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on August 15, 2025, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate