Carroll Wayne Conn, Jr., 74, of Beaumont died Wednesday, December 1, 2004. He was a native of Beaumont.
As a young boy, C.W. began working alongside his father at Conn Appliances, the company C.W. Conn Sr. founded. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 1951 and completing his service in the Korean Conflict, he returned to Conn's. He obtained a Master Plumbers license, for which he was most proud, to use in the appliance business. Upon the death of his father, he became President and later Chairman of the Board of Conn Appliances, Inc.
Until his retirement in 1998, he was the owner and President of Conn Appliances, Inc. and Chairman of Conn Development Corporation. He founded or co-founded Conn Realty Company, C & D Realty, Appliance Underwriters Service Co., Appliance Underwriters Co., Ltd., Appliance Parts & Service, Inc., Conn Credit Corporation, Conn Associates Realty and CPF Realty.
In 1981, he acquired more than 5,000 acres of working ranch land known as Texas Mountain Ranch. The Ranch works closely with Soil Conservation Services, the Texas Fisheries and Wildlife Department, and Texas Parks & Wildlife to improve soil composition, water retention and wildlife habitat.
A proponent of education at all levels, C.W. supported BISD School Partnership relationships at Lucas Elementary School and taught entrepreneurship courses at University of Houston and Texas A&M to senior undergraduates and graduate students. He received his BBA at University of Texas at Austin in 1951 and his MBA at Lamar University in 1969.
By Presidential Appointment, he served on the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Military Academy from 1996 to 2001. He also served on Board of Regents, Lamar University System (1989-1993); Dean's Advisory Board, College of Business, University of Houston; Advisory Board, Center of Retailing Studies, Texas A&M University (1987-2001) and Texas A&M Executive in Residence. He established the Dorothy Anne and C.W. Conn, Jr. Endowed Chair for Gifted and Talented Education, Lamar University, College of Education; Carroll and Dorothy Anne Conn Chair in New Venture Leadership at Texas A&M University; and was an Inaugural Inductee into the College of Business' Hall of Fame at Lamar University.
His community/public service was eclectic including Board of Trustees, The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research; Chair, Capital Funds Drive, Salvation Army; Advisory Board, Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas; President, Lamar University Foundation; Director, Some Other Place Mission; Trustee, Art Museum of Southeast Texas; Chairman, Beaumont Chamber of Commerce; President, YMCA Metropolitan Board of Southeast Texas; Chairman, Convention and Visitors Bureau; Chairman, Capital Fund Drive YMCA and Honorary Chairman, Beaumont Community Players Capital Campaign.
His philanthropic endeavors are well documented - Conn Hall, Salvation Army of Southeast Texas; Conn Wing, Art Museum of Southeast Texas; Conn Park, City of Vidor, Texas; Honorary Co-Chairman, Jefferson Theater Capital Campaign.
C.W.'s honors and awards, all well-deserved, were humbly appreciated by him - Land Stewardship Award for Excellence Wildlife Service, Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society; Jay C. Crager Award, American Heart Association; Outstanding Wildlife Conservationist, Medina Valley Soil and Water Conservation District; Honoree, Beta Gamma Sigma Chapter of Texas A&M University; Appreciation Award, YMCA of Beaumont; Man of the Year, Sales and Marketing Association of Southeast Texas; Distinguished Alumnus Award, Lamar University; Man of the Year Award for Community Service; and King Neches XXXII, 1980.
C.W. and Dorothy Anne were world travelers visiting 45 countries over the years. He was a licensed instrument airplane pilot and flew himself to business meetings and vacation sites all over the country.
But, the most important part of his life was his loving wife, Dorothy Anne and their three daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. He always made certain to spend quality time with his family.
Preceded in death by his parents, Mattie Lou Conn and C.W. Conn, Sr., survivors include his wife, Dorothy Anne, daughters Carolyn and husband Mark Fertitta, Susan Conn, and Elizabeth and husband Russ Waddill. Grandchildren include Katy and Michael Fertitta, Steven and Camille Clark, and Thomas and Sarah Waddill.
The family wishes to express thanks and gratitude for the loving care provided by the devoted caregivers: Robert Donatta, Denise Wilson, Connie Jackson and Linda Patterson.
Pallbearers will be sons-in-law Mark Fertitta, Russ Waddill, nephews Scott, Steve and Carroll Conn, and grandsons Michael Fertitta, Steven Clark and Thomas Waddill, and Robert Donatta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or Some Other Place Mission, P. O. Box 843, Beaumont, Texas 77708.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, December 4, 2004, at Trinity United Methodist Church followed by a private burial. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday evening from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, followed by a sharing of memories at 7:00 p.m. at Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin.
