Paul McConnell was born December 11, 1932, in Moulton, Texas, to Roland and Pauline McConnell. He was the 4th of 5 sons. In 1955 he married Agnes Dubec in Needville, Texas. The day after their wedding he received his draft notice and three weeks later was at Fort Bliss. He was then transferred to Fort Sill where he trained as a marksman and surveyor. After his service they settled in Rosenberg, Texas, where he started his career in residential construction. Following the birth of their first child, they relocated to the Houston Heights to be closer to the medical center due to the needs of the newborn. Remaining in the Heights area, they purchased a home close to church and schools. During his career he specialized in trim carpentry, mainly doing custom work in the River Oaks and Memorial area. Although he was well known for curved wooden stair rails, he designed a wood return air fixture, which he later patented. At that point he switched his small business to manufacturing his new product line. Along with being an avid mechanic, he loved music and games, which were the central point of his social life. He played accordion and guitar and loved to dance. When he danced, he loved waltzing, but when playing, he preferred polkas. In his later years it was rare not to see him playing dominos or cards. He continued to reside in the Heights area until his death on July 2, 2021. He is preceded in death by his parents, Roland Bell and Pauline Mathilda McConnell, sons, Emil McConnell and Lloyd McConnell, brothers, Albert McConnell and Robert McConnell. Paul is survived by his wife Agnes Frances McConnell, daughter Diane McConnell, sons; Allan McConnell and his wife Rhonda and Alvin McConnell and his wife Cara, grandchildren; Jamie McConnell and his wife Becky, Kristie McConnell, Corrie Weichert and her husband Brandon, Nicholas McConnell and Trista McConnell and brothers, Roland McConnell Jr. and Bill McConnell.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 7, 2021, 5pm – 8pm at the Heights Funeral Home Chapel. A rosary will be held at 7pm that evening. Funeral Mass is scheduled for Thursday, 10am at St. Anne De Beaupre Catholic Church, 2810 Link Rd. Houston, Texas 77009. Graveside service will take place at 2pm Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in Sealy, Texas.
