David Chris Conner

David Chris Conner, 57, of Lake Charles passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at MD Anderson in Houston, TX.

Mr. Conner was born in Kinder, LA and has been a lifelong resident of Lake Charles. He was a 1976 graduate of LaGrange High School where he played football and McNeese State University where he graduated in 1980 with Honors in Management Marketing. He and his wife owned a ServiceMaster franchise for 15 years prior to the following community affiliated career positions. Mr. Conner was currently the Vice President of Economic Development and International Trade Services for the SWLA Economic Development Alliance. He was also serving on the Calcasieu Parish Planning and Zoning Commission and was immediate past Chairman. Mr. Conner served on the Volunteer Louisiana Commission (formerly the Louisiana Serve Commission) and was immediate past chairman of the AmeriCorps Committee. He served on the Louisiana District Export Council and was the recipient of the national award for 2015-2016 DEC of the year. In addition, Mr. Conner served the World Trade Center International Commerce Committee, the Louisiana Council for Economic Education, the Southwest Louisiana Community Organizations Active in Disasters, the Ann Rosteet Hurley Center for Economic Education Board at McNeese State University and the Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center. He was Chairman of the Housing Committee of the Growth and Opportunity Group of Southwest Louisiana.

Mr. Conner launched three new small business development programs in the last year and they are the Kauffman Foundation FastTrac training program, Economic Gardening and Export University. He was co-author of the International Trade Accord of Acadiana and Imperial Calcasieu. Prior to his tenure with the Alliance, Mr. Conner was an Individual Assistance Officer with FEMA and played a major role in regional recovery efforts for Hurricanes Katrina/Rita and Gustave/Ike. He was also Co-Chairman for GO Group Housing Committee. He was involved in trade missions to Israel, Brazil, and Panama and also in the Mayor’s Commission for Russian Commerce.

Through the years he has been a part of the LaGrange Reunion Committee and has served on the McNeese Alumni board and most importantly has continued endless support as one of the Cowboys most avid fans. Mr. Conner was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and served as a chapter advisor. He also enjoyed deer and duck hunting.

Mr. Conner was a member of St. Luke Simpson Methodist Church where he was on the Missions Committee, was active in Bible Study Fellowship, and was a Sunday school teacher. He will be most remembered for his courage, faith and peace during his journey and for his favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, because of the family unity it represented.

He leaves to honor his memory, his loving wife of thirty-five years, Mary Beth Gordon Conner of Lake Charles; one daughter, Mariet Conner Bernard and husband Ross of Lafayette and David’s first grandchild on the way; one son, Clinton David Conner of Lake Charles. He also leaves his father Herbert H. Conner of Lake Charles; three brothers, Grady Conner and wife Kathy of Lake Charles, Troy Conner and wife Sheila of Sulphur and Derek Conner and wife Kim; sister-in-law, Diane McGregor and husband Richard of Jennings; cousins, nieces and nephews and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Bradley Conner.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Monday, February 01, 2016 at St. Luke Simpson Methodist Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Reverend Charlie Langford will officiate. Interment will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation Sunday will be from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the funeral home. Visitation Monday will be from 9:00 AM until 11:00AM in the church.

David was a peace-maker. He was a fun-loving, gregarious individual. David, with his exceptional intelligence, was a problem-solver. He maintained a “can do” it spirit that inspired others.