Paul K Conner

Dr. Paul K Conner Jr.

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, K Conner was claimed by his Lord on August 19, 2017 in Santa Fe, NM. Dr. Conner was born on September 23, 1930 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Ethel (Cronovich) and Dr. Paul Kerr Conner Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother James Patrick Conner. He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Janie. Also by his son, Casey Conner of Dallas, Texas, daughter Kelley Klawiter of Steamboat Springs, Co; grandsons, Berin, Cade and Rylan Klawiter. Two stepsons, Doug (and Margaret) Jordan and Stuart Jordan and four granddaughters, Elise, Lillian, Olivia, and Ava Jordan.

Dr. Conner grew up in Jacksboro, Texas, where he excelled in academics and sports at Jacksboro High School. He double majored in biology and psychology at SMU where he played football with teammate, Doak Walker. Dr Conner attended SMU, Class of ’52 and Baylor Medical School (’54-’56) where he attained his MD. After an internship at Jefferson Davis Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI, and a residency at University of Michigan Hospital, also in Ann Arbor, where he specialized in cardiology; he returned to Texas to practice at Baylor Hospital. Upon leaving Baylor Hospital, he went into private practice in internal medicine/cardiology as one of the founding doctors of Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. He retired in the mid-nineties. He was a member of AMA, TMA, and other medical societies. When Dr. Conner retired he joined Doctors Without Borders.

Dr. Conner was beloved by his patients, friends and family. Called “K” by his family and friends and Granddad or “Doc” by his grandchildren, he was very special to everyone. Highlights of K’s life included being present at Parkland Hospital in 1963 when President JFK and Texas Governor John Connally were admitted, being one of the attending doctors saving Governor Connally’s life. Developing deep relationships his entire life among them Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Don Meredith, Larry Gatlin and Dr. Red Duke to name a few.

Enthusiastic in life he loved cooking, skiing, golfing, tennis, the Dallas Cowboys, SMU basketball, traveling and especially his dogs, Jaeger, Maggie, Josh, Max and Lilly. He was an avid member of AA with 29 years of sobriety. K will always be remembered for his sense of humor and clever wit; his beaming smile and his unyielding care for his patients, friends and family.

Services are planned for September 9, 2017, 1:00 p.m. at Christ Church Santa Fe, 1213 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be made to: Nexus Recover Center, 8733 La Prada Dr, Dallas, TX 75228 or Grace Community Church, 2247 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87507.