of Little Rock, AR
February 27, 1947 - June 24, 2015
James Michael ''Mike'' Connell was born February 27, 1947 in Galveston, Texas to Elizabeth and Richard E. Connell, Jr. After a lengthy illness and clear display of his indisputable strength, he passed away on June 24, 2015 with his wife, daughters and son-in-law at his bedside. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, brother, Richard Egbert Connell III, and sister, Laura Ann Connell Lambert. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Kaye Connell, his two daughters Tonya Kaye Connell Toups and her husband Mitchell A. Toups, and Terri Renee Connell Pistorius; five grandchildren, Alexandra Kaye Adams, Gilbert T. Adams IV, Jacqueline Connell Adams, Peyton Matthew Toups and Vivienne Renee Pistorius; and many loved nieces and nephews.
Mike Connell was a magnetic presence and a deeply caring soul. He was well-known and loved by his Central High School classmates, and maintained life-long, deep friendships with many. Having never met a stranger, he befriended people everywhere, drawing them in with his quick wit, self-deprecating grin, and genuine compassion.
Mike was no stranger to adversity, but always handled it with quiet strength and no complaints. From the early age of 14, and after losing his own father to Multiple Sclerosis, he nonetheless completed the requirements of Boy Scouts, achieving the highest rank of Eagle Scout.
Generosity and a tender heart were his hallmarks. He always put others before himself in thoughts and actions. The familiar expression ''he would give you the shirt off his back'' is an understatement. And, if you were in his company when he came across someone hurting, if you looked closely, before he turned away or masked his emotion, you would see the tears welling in his eyes.
Mike Connell was a man thoroughly committed to the ideals of family. His profound love for his wife of 47 years, Sharon, could not be questioned. From the moment they met at the Minute Man on University Avenue in 1966, they were destined to spend their lives together. They experienced so much in life-from raising children, to enjoying grandchildren, enduring illness, but always, always finding humor-that even when Mike lost his ability to talk, their connection was so deep, they communicated with ease. Spoken words weren't necessary.
Visitation will be at Roller Chenal Funeral Home on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral Services will also be at Roller Chenal Funeral Home on Monday, June 29, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 901 N. University, Little Rock, Ar. 72207, in memory of Mike Connell.
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31 Condolence(s)
Mike & Trisha Reynolds Moore
Monday, July 20, 2015
Sharon,
We were so sorry to hear about Mike. We know he will be missed. Please know we will pray that you will find comfort and peace.
Sherrie fields
Monday, June 29, 2015
"Uncle Mike", this life will never be the same without you! What a precious soul you were. Thank you for loving me and my girls! Thank you for teaching us all to love each other, no matter what and to never judge or look down on others. I will never forget your signature grin, your dance moves and how you jumped when startled! Lol! You always made us laugh, made us feel loved and made us feel like we mattered! I hope you know how very much YOU mattered to us and how much we love you! You were the coolest person ever! RIP Uncle Mike! â¤ï¸ðŸ™
Beverly Robertson
Monday, June 29, 2015
Sharon,
I am so sorry to hear about your husband. You and your family are in my prayers.
Beverly
Harrell & Rachel
Monday, June 29, 2015
Sorry we were unable to make the service. My health has been keeping me at home most of the time. So sorry for your loss. We love and miss you guys.
Ron/Dorthy Wilson
Monday, June 29, 2015
So sorry to hear about Mike. Our prayers will be with you in this difficult time. We have many fond memories of your kids growing up next door, and we were sorry to see you move. We wish you all the best in the future.
Phil and Susie Grable
Sunday, June 28, 2015
We were sad.to hear about Mike's passing. Our thought and prayers are with you, Sharon and the girls. Hold on to the wonderful memories and remember this is not goodbye but we will see you later.
JP
Sunday, June 28, 2015
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Please read Acts 24:15 for a comforting thought.
Ed and Shannon Loftis
Sunday, June 28, 2015
So sorry for your loss. We are lifting your family up in prayer!
Tabatha Ward
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Terri and Family,
I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad passing! May God wrap each and everyone of you in his peace and comfort during this very difficult time.
Praying for you,
Tabatha
Allison Kinney-Garcia
Sunday, June 28, 2015
So sorry to hear about Connell! Prayers to him, and his family. He was a wonderful man that will be sorely missed.
Sandy Harrison
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Sharon, Tonya, and Terri,
So sorry to have learned of Mike's passing. What a strong, courageous father and husband. My sympathy to each of you and continued prayers for your comfort and support as you grieve his loss.
Sandy H
Linda Wiggs
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Sharon, so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept our deepest condolences. May God give you strength and comfort in the difficult days ahead.
Your friend,
Linda Wiggs
Jason Hamilton
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Connell
You were the one and only. You have held a special place in my heart as long as I've known you, and I will carry your spirit with me for the rest of my life.
Jason
Jerry Paul
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Mike was a friend to all and a pretty good golfer (WMGC). Sharon and family you will be in my prayers. Jerry Paul LRCHS '67!
Jerry Paul
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Mike was a friend to all and a pretty fair (WMGC) golfer. Sharon and family my prayers are with you. LRCH 67'
Terry green
Saturday, June 27, 2015
I was saddened to learn of Mikes death. I have played golf with for years at WMGC.. He was always funny and generous. After he got the feeding tube in his stomach, he would still come out to the course and play. I watched him pour Insure down that tube during the round and sometimes he would pour beer down it and pretend he could taste it. He still played after he got the trac put in. You could tell that he didn't feel well but he wasn't going to let that stop him. We all were just in awe of his tenacity. Mike fought hard to live a normal life. He was as tough as they come. Speaking for all of us who play at WMGC, we are going to miss him. RIP our good freind, MIke.
Michele Watson
Friday, June 26, 2015
I'm praying for all of you. Mr. Connell was a great man, kind, and funny! He was a big part of my childhood memories and I always loved him and thought the world of him
I have not seen him in years but I know he adored his daughters and family and was a great father and husband. RIP Mr Connell. I'm
Sure your making everyone in heaven laugh!!
Gail Wilson
Friday, June 26, 2015
Sharon and family. My heart grieves for you in the loss of Mike. I guess we go back to the beginning with each and there we so many memories. May you hold those precious memories close to your heart for comfort in the days ahead.
Gail
Sheila Kinney Brower
Friday, June 26, 2015
I have known you for years through my brother, Dean and have learned to live your strengths, your live for family and for life. Your family had to recognize the love you had for them in your drive to fight so hard. Bless the family! Sheila Brower
Margaret Leggett
Friday, June 26, 2015
Sharon, you will be in my prayers along with your family. I know Mike's passing will leave a deep hole in your hearts. He was usually funny, sometimes mischievous, and always friendly. May your memories be a blessing and a strength in the days ahead.
Glenda Hale
Friday, June 26, 2015
It is difficult to find the words to describe a unique person like Mike Connell. But one word covers much of it....LOVE....in addition to the love for Sharon, Tonya, Terri and his grandchildren which is unmeasurable, he loved people in general and probably never met a stranger. I will never forget what he did for us that was life changing, he just happened to stop by our house one day when life's difficulties can weigh us down, and he simply told us what we needed to do and he was absolutely right. I learned from that to never give up. I don't know if he realized that he was a true angel that day, I sure hope so. He truly had the biggest heart......
John Thompson
Friday, June 26, 2015
I have so many great memories of Mike. He was a guy that you could not help but like and one that you would never forget. It is hard to believe that 50 years have passed since our time at LRCHS. My deepest sympathy to Mike's family. He was one of a kind and will be missed.
Renee
Friday, June 26, 2015
So sorry for your loss.
May God give you peace during this difficult time.
Sincerely, Renee Estes
Ashley Burnett Landers
Friday, June 26, 2015
May we all learn from your strength, determination, sense of humor, and unconditional love. You fought hard, stood tall and faced life head on. You always had the best sense of humor and drew people to you with that one of a kind magnetic spirit that beamed from inside you. I will always remember your signature dance moves, that twinkle in your eyes when you would give us that little smile and shake your head at whatever ridiculous thing we happened to be doing at the time. You always loaned us your converts (convertibles) so we could cruise around town and have some good ole girl time. You were my dads life long friend, I grew up hearing about "Connell" and isn't it something that one day my path would cross with your daughters and we would be friends, Connell and Burnett all over again. I love you Daddy C, I will always cherish my memories of you and forever carry you close to my heart. ( I quote my dad here) " that Connell had a big heart that was pure gold, he never complained or asked why me when life was hard, he just handled it and stood strong, he never met a stranger or was scared of anyone, he was the toughest man that ever lived, he was a good friend to me and I loved him dearly. I will always miss him" -Bo Burnett
Anita and Bo Faulkner
Friday, June 26, 2015
Sharon and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sandy Miller
Friday, June 26, 2015
My sincere condolences to Mike's Family.
My mom, June Miller and Mike's mom were dear friends. I have many happy memories of Mrs. Connell and her family from my time growing up in the Fairmont Drive/Purdue Circle neighborhood.
Mary Cathey
Friday, June 26, 2015
Dear Sharon, Terri, Tonya, Mitchell and the rest of your sweet family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope you find great comfort in God's hands and in remembering Mike as a great husband, dadddy, father-in-law and grand daddy.
Larry Hall
Friday, June 26, 2015
Mike... a.long time friend from Central High who i had many good times with and will surley be missed, prayers for Mike and his family and many friends.
Doug
Friday, June 26, 2015
My thoughts and prayers for you and family.
I grew up next door to Mike, Richard and laura.
We were kids who played together daily grade school
through Highschool.. The Connell boys were always
my favorites. Last saw Laura in 1975.
LAst saw Richard on his return from Viet Nam.
He was a different boy. Last say mike.....in his Perdue
Circle front yard. I left for college the next day.
The Connells were a great nfamily. Mike was my favorite. God Bless and protect his family.
Doug Wallace 1950 Perdue Circle. Little Rock. 1965
Terry nolen
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Blessings from terry and Kaye Nolen
Meredith Smith
Thursday, June 25, 2015
U were the best Connell! You cracked me up! I loved that you thought I was so cheap u would let me run your biz! :). Loved when you came to dance with us on the Sandpiper porch and cruise in your convertible!! You are so loved and missed deeply!!! Mer