Cater J Conner

CATER (C.J.) JACKSON CONNER, Sr., Inverness, died October 7, 2014 at Citrus Memorial Hospital. C.J. was born on December 9, 1931 in Gainesville, GA to the late Hubert Jackson Conner and Ganelle Gaines Conner. He was very proud of his Irish and Cherokee heritage. He relocated to Penns Grove, NJ in 1942 and was a member of the graduating class of 1949 from Penns Grove Regional High School, after which he attended the University of West Virginia in Morgantown for one year, during which time he played football. He then transferred to Springfield College in Springfield, MA. C.J. joined the United States Marine Corps in 1951, serving until 1954 during the Korean conflict. While still on active duty, he met and married Dorothy M. Bugno of Greensboro, NC on April 18, 1953. After his honorable discharge, he moved to Penns Grove, NJ in 1954 and went to work for NJ Bell Telephone. He built their home in Woodstown and relocated there in 1956. C.J. retired from NJ Bell Telephone as a transition manager on March 30, 1985 after 31 years of service. He subsequently worked for the State of New Jersey as a voice telephone consultant with Computer Science Contractor from 1985 to 1987. While residing in Woodstown, NJ, he attended the Woodstown Presbyterian Church and served in many ministries, as a Trustee, Deacon, Elder, on the Pulpit Committee and as Youth Director. He was very active in his community, serving as President of the Woodstown Little League for 3 years, 3 years on the Woodstown Pilesgrove School Board and as a volunteer advisor of the Woodstown Explorer Scout Post and member of the Woodstown American Legion Post, on the rifle squad. After his relocation to Inverness, FL in 1987, he once again became active in his church and community. He attended the Inverness First United Methodist Church and served as a Trustee, on the SPR Committee, as usher, and with the building and grounds committee, volunteering wherever he was needed and could help. As of 2013, he was a 61 year member of the American Legion, having joined both Post #225 in Floral City and Post #77 in Inverness. He served as Field Marshall for five years with the TriCounty Radio Control Flying Club. He enjoyed helping students build and fly radio controlled airplanes and volunteered at Inverness Middle School with 8th graders in the aeronautical portion of the technology class for 8 years; also helping at Cornerstone Baptist Church in the Youth Department. C.J. was a life member of the Telephone Pioneers. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 61 years, Dorothy; daughter Beverly Conner Williams (husband-Paul) Pittsgrove, NJ; son Cater J. Conner, Jr. (wife-Karen Slothhour Conner) Forest, VA; two grandsons, Michael and Gregory Conner and two granddaughters Kevanne and McLane Williams. He was preceded in death by his sister Carolyn. A graveside committal service will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 2:30 P.M. at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. The family invites friends to join them for the procession to the cemetery at the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory at 1:45 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of C.J. Conner to Inverness First United Methodist Church, 1300 Hwy. 41N., Suite D, Inverness, FL 34450.