James Clinton McConnell

BAKER, WELCH, BLAUER, HAMPTON, CHAPMAN, SMITH

Posted By: Ken Baker (email)
Date: 6/21/2011 at 13:38:57

Graduated from North High School, Des Moines, Iowa January 1937
Was a Senior Class officer - Board Member

James McConnell
April 02, 1919 - March 22, 2010.
James Clinton McConnell was born in Grand River, Iowa, to Elizabeth Baker and Clint McConnell. Jim's father was in law enforcement and, tragically, was murdered by a bootlegger when Jim was but eight years old. After his father's death, Jim's childhood included growing up with his older sister, Edith Dale Gardner (deceased), his mother (Elizabeth Baker) and his grandfather (William Henry Baker).
Jim studied Gregg shorthand in his teens and met his future wife, Mary Welch, in Chicago where she tutored him in the subject. After becoming exceptionally adept in writing Gregg shorthand, Jim enlisted in the Army during World War II, working with the FBI on special assignments. He traveled extensively while in the Army; and after discharge Jim was recruited for employment by the FBI director, J. Edgar Hoover, using his knowledge of shorthand while stationed in Cuba, Bermuda, Chile, Peru, and Venezuela. Jim became proficient in speaking, reading, and understanding the Spanish language. After the war, Mary Welch traveled to Venezuela where she and Jim were married in a Catholic service in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1955. Shortly after their marriage, Jim and Mary moved to California and eventually found a special site in Sausalito where they built their home. Tragically, Mary was diagnosed with a serious illness and died soon after their home was completed. Jim lived in Sausalito more than fifty years and passed away peacefully on March 22, 2010.
He is survived by his many friends and his cousin Ken Baker (additional cousins Rosemary Baker Blauer, Cheryl Baker Smith, Arlene Baker Hampton, and Roberta Baker Chapman).
Jim graduated with a bachelor's degree in business from the University of San Francisco. Later, he became a teacher of business and then chair of the college business department at City College of San Francisco, retiring 24 years ago after 32 happy and notable years at the college.
As was always the case, Jim made many friends wherever he traveled in the world, known by all for his quick wit, his charm, his intelligence, and his devotion to the Catholic faith. He traveled extensively in the states and in Europe, Switzerland and Italy having always been his favorite destinations, visiting there on many occasions. He studied and learned to read and speak the Italian language fluently and was a devotee of grand opera. Wherever he traveled - whomever he met - his friendship and quick sense of humor and joy in living drew people to him who became his life-long friends. Specially cherished among his friends were Robert Baker of Harlingen, Texas, Jo Ann Hendricks of San Francisco, the late Harry Frustuck, the City College "Lunch Bunch," Paul Fisher, Margaret Vota, Father "Bud" Duggan, and Father Thomas M. Parenti, pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Sausalito; his many attentive and generous friends in the congregation of St. Mary Star of the Sea; the supportive members of Il Cennocola Italian Club, and all his buddies - plus Susie - at the Asher Clinic. Jim was especially grateful and appreciative of his kind and brilliant physician and friend of many years, Harlan Watkins, M.D., and his staff, the gracious friendship and ministrations of Beverly and Dr. David Kell, his two loving - and loved - and long serving caregivers, Aleth Modena, and her sister, Marcenita Villegas, and Marcy's husband, Aris, and many staff members of the Hospice By the Bay who were always attentive to his needs. Jim was dearly loved and was loved by his many friends and will be greatly missed.
Friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 180 Harrison Avenue, Sausalito, CA, on Friday, March 26, 2010, at 11 A.M. Visitation will be Friday from 10 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Church. Private interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, CA. Donations in Jim's name may be sent to the University of San of San Francisco, Charles W. Dullea, S.J. Special Fund, 650 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA, 94118, and the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or to donor's favorite charity. Arrangements under the direction of ADOBE CREEK FUNERAL HOME, 331 Lakeville St., Petaluma, CA 94952. CHEDA & LYONS - Directors 415-883-8070
Published in San Francisco Chronicle on March 24, 2010

Note: Additions made by transcriber Ken Baker were added by Ken Baker for clarification.