Charles Wayne Mcconnell

Charles Wayne McConnell departed this life on the 27th of October 2021. Charles was born on the 28th of September 1942 to John Foster McConnell and Artie Missie (Tidwell) McConnell. His immediate family included one brother, David. Charles was a veteran of the U. S. Army serving in the Chemical Corps. He was discharged with the rank of Captain in the USAR. His years of active service were from 1965 to 1967. During his active service Charles was awarded the Soldier's Medal for Valor in the face of danger in personally pulling wounded and deceased soldiers from a crashed and burning helicopter. Charles taught middle school science for approximately 37 years in Fort Worth at the Leonard Middle School. He graduated from Arlington State College (now UTA) in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. After teaching several years he went on to complete a Master of Education at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas. He remained active in continuing education pursuits over most of his career. In his early teaching years he participated in a National Audubon Society summer program for teachers of science that provided field work experience in Wisconsin. Charles was active in a local, ‘oldsters' motorcycle group that traveled over much of the country and Canada. He thoroughly enjoyed those days of travel on his Goldwing motorcycle and the comradery with his motorcycle friends that included visiting many national parks. He continued to participate in group dinners even after he was no longer able to ride with them. He had lots of fond memories of his travels with his friends. Charles created a website for his motorcycle group that he spent a lot of time maintaining including posting picture records of travels, dinners, and other activities. Charles was one of the most generous and giving people I have ever known, an easy thing to say, but hardly adequate in capturing the depth of his giving nature. His selflessness in serving his family and friends was boundless. His self-giving nature readily spilled over into his teaching. He contributed untold hours in grading papers and other after hours time spent on school related activities. Charles created and maintained a website for the United Educators Association (UEA) that took much time and skill. Charles has left a number of family members who love him and will miss him very much. His family included his brother, David (and David's wife, Jane (Gladden) McConnell); two nieces Lara (McConnell) Lleverino (and husband Ray Lleverino and their children Gabe, Emma, and Julia) and Lisa (McConnell) Rickard (and her daughter Elizabeth); two nephews, Jim McConnell (and his wife Lisa (Fox) McConnell, and their children, Sam, Lily, and Charlie) and Keith McConnell (and his wife Janet Douberly); and a very close cousin Janie McConnell. Capturing the essence of such a person in a short sketch or even a longer piece is impossible, but his essence will live on in the minds and hearts of those who knew him and loved him.