Paul Everett Conner

October 7, 1936 - December 20, 2019

Paul Everett Conner, 83, passed away Friday, December 20, 2019. He was born October 7, 1936 in Elk City, Oklahoma to Charles Edwin and Oneta Jo (Duree) Conner. Paul married Karen (Garrett) Conner on August 16, 1957 in Sayre, Oklahoma. She survives. Paul attended Sayre Schools as a child and graduated in 1955. He received an Associate's Degree from Sayre Junior College in 1957. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Elementary and Secondary Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. In 1967, he completed his Master's Degree. He received his post graduation Superintendent Certification from Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma. Paul worked as an instructor of a one room school house in Wakeeney until he was offered a teaching, coaching and principal position at St. George Schools in 1958. In 1965, he returned to Sayre to be the Associate Elementary Principal to teach and coach. In 1969, he was hired as Academic Dean of Sayre Junior College. In 1984, Paul became Superintendent of Sayre Schools and President of Sayre Junior College. He was instrumental in the merge of Sayre Junior College with Southwestern Oklahoma State University in July of 1987. In 1996, he led the girls' softball team to state where they finished as semi-finalists. He retired from Sayre Schools in 1996 and moved to Haviland where he was hired as Superintendent and coached volleyball and softball; his softball team went to state. He retired again in 2003 after 49 years in education. He was then hired as the Director of I-TV of Kansas, leading the Interactive Television network for five school districts and colleges. Paul was a member of numerous councils and boards of both Oklahoma and Kansas. He was proud of his tenure on the Sayre Memorial Hospital Board, Sunday School Teacher and Deacon for Sayre First Baptist Church, Distinguished Alumnus at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and board member, and Education Organizations in Oklahoma and Kansas. He attended Haviland Methodist Church. His life revolved around children and "serving students for the future". He is survived by his wife, Karen Conner of Haviland; daughters, Lori (Jerry) Burch of Woodward, Oklahoma and Linda Hall of Elk City, Oklahoma; son in-law, Dick (Jamie) Drendel of Haviland; grandchildren, Todd (Niki) Burch, Kali (Kody) Smajstrla, Kami (Matt) Ballard, Brooke (Josh) Scott, Conner (Cassie) Drendel, Corbin (Monica Windle) Hall, Keegan Hall, and Kinsley Hall; great-grandchildren, Jordan Howard, Maddie, Sydney, Gabe, and Josie Burch, Kelton, Baylor, and Weston Tarr, Jack and Charlie Smajstrla, Grayson, Gentry, and Gaige Ballard, Caleb and Ethan Scott, Finley Drendel, Kasen Hall and Kennedy Hall; and Grandogs. Paul is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Lisa Drendel; and son in-law, Cary Hall. Cremation has taken place. Friends may sign the book Thursday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt. Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 27, 2019 at Ross-Ellis Center, Haviland with Joe Coles and Pastor Mark Fillmore presiding. A Second Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Sayre Schools Auditorium with Joe Coles presiding. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at Sayre-Doxey Cemetery, Sayre, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Paul E. Conner Sayre Scholarship Fund or Paul E. Conner Memorial Haviland Kids Fund both in care of Larrison Mortuary or Greensburg State Bank, 240 S. Main, Greensburg, KS 67054. "Enjoy Life, Dream Big, Be Happy, Love Simply, Be Grateful"