Obituary for Tommy Connelly

Tommy Eugene Connelly, resident of Ponca City, went home to be with the lord on Sunday May 18, 2014 at his residence. He was 66.

Tommy was born on December 7, 1947 to Gene Connelly and Ardetha (Connelly) Christensen in Ponca City, OK. A celebration service will be held in his honor at 2:00 pm, Thursday May 22, 2014 at Ponca City Assembly.

Tommy grew up in Ponca City where he graduated high school in 1967. He then entered the U.S. Air Force in July 1967 where he served in Vietnam until he received an honorary discharge in 1973. He then found his bride, Pam Patrick, of 42 years. He attended school at Northern Oklahoma College and worked part-time at Stewart Supply. Through Tommy’s work career he found himself employed in construction, building houses, installing swimming pools and fireplaces. He later joined the Pipefitter’s Union 767 where he worked in numerous refineries as a pipe welder. He finished his working career at Smith Tool (Schlumberger) of 26 years. Tommy was a jack of all trades. He knew how to fix anything and took great pride in teaching his son, son-in-law and grandsons all of his skills.

He was preceded in death by his father Gene Connelly and nephew James Cole Greenhagen.

He is survived by his wife Pam Connelly of the home. Marcy Cross and husband Mark of Ponca City. Matthew Connelly of Ponca City and Cherokee Connelly of the home. He had three grandchildren, Kelby Cross, Taryn Connelly and Trace Connelly all of Ponca City. He is also survived by his mother Ardetha Christensen and husband Bob of Ponca City, brother Terry Connelly of Branson, Missouri and sister Paula Greenhagen and husband Jimmy of Ponca City as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Tommy had many joys and interest in life. He enjoyed coaching softball, baseball and football for his children as well as attending his grandchildren’s events. It was well known to never change the channel on the television or attempt conversation during Nascar or an OU football game or Thunder game. He never missed an early morning in the woods or on the water hunting and fishing.

Honorary casket bearers will be all of his hunting and fishing buddies. Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 5700 N. Portland Ave., #203, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 or the American Cancer Society, 6525 N. Meridian Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73116.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.troutfuneralhome.com

Source: Trout Funeral Home