Born February 20, 1941 to John Conner and Mabel Stage in Picker Hollow Wappapello, Missouri. Picker Hollow now lies at the bottom of Lake Wappapello. At age 9 he was picking cotton in Arkansas for $5 a day and plowing fields with a team of horses. At age 9 he also received his first single shot rifle which helped him bring protein to the dinner table; protein such as racoon, possum, rabbits and squirrels.

His first eight grades of school were in a one room schoolhouse in HIlliard, Missouri. He then attended three years of high school in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. In 1957 the family moved to the Yakima Valley. He graduated from Toppenish High School in 1958. He then attended Yakima Valley College and graduated from Yakima Business College. He enlisted in the army where he served six months, and then served five and a half years in the Army National Guard. He was honorably discharged after six years as a Staff Sergeant Gun Commander with a field artillery 105 Howitzer battery.

His favorite hobbies were hunting, fishing, boating and flying. He had a pilot's license. His favorite plane was his Cessna 182 which he referred to as Old Blue. He worked for Yakima Hardware Co. for 17 years as a traveling sales representative. He bought Intervalley Hardware in Toppenish and ran it for 21 years.

He traveled to every state in the continental USA as well as Alaska and Hawaii. He traveled the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, England and Spain. He had two daughters, Lisa Paxton and Launa Thomas.

He married his best friend, love of his life, hunting and fishing partner Neoma (Toots) Delp on September 5, 1980. Neoma had a daughter Debbie Delp. He was a member of the Eagles, American Legion, Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association. He also served two terms on the Toppenish Rodeo Board.

He is survived by his two daughters Lisa Paxton and Launa Thomas, one son-in-law Darren Thomas, sister Helen Curtsinger, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Phyllis Vance, brother-in-laws Jim Curtsinger and Ed Vance, loving wife Neoma, step daughter Debbie Delp and grandson-in-law Steven Bridges.

Viewing will be held December 18, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home of Zillah, 607 2nd Ave, Zillah, WA 98953. Graveside service will be held December 19, 2025 at noon at the Zillah Cemetery 100 1st Ave, Zillah, WA 98953. Reception to follow at the Zillah Civic Center across the street from the cemetery.

Pallbearers; Darren Thomas, Matt Blum, Travis Nelson, Jeff Walker, Scott Curtsinger, and Mike Johnson.

Honorary Pallbearers: Dick Steinmetz, Leonard Vanee, Dave Meyers.