Bobby Gene Conner Jr. was born on April 29, 1960 in Houston, Texas to Bobby Gene Conner, Sr. and Beverly Jane Conner, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Jean Conner, and his children Beau (daughter-in-law Rebekah), Savanna (son-in-law Eric), and Miles. He is also survived by his sisters, Pam and Twanya (brother-in-law Dana) grandchildren, Beau, Walynn, and Cass, and his grandweenies, Copper and Ozzy. He graduated from New Caney High School on May 30, 1979, and married his high school sweetheart, Pam, two days later.

Pam and Bobby moved to Huntsville, Texas, where Bobby worked for ten years in the automobile business. After realizing that he was called to be a teacher, he returned to college, graduating in 1998-earning a 4.0 G.P.A. even as he worked and raised his children. His teaching career spanned over two decades and four cities-Willis, Navasota, Huntsville, and Richards. As Mr. Conner, he mentored students in construction trades; as Coach Conner, he trained students in baseball, volleyball, track, football, and golf. He was especially privileged to teach and coach his own grandchildren. Bobby was the recipient of multiple major teaching awards, but he was proudest of being named Hornet Hero, recognized for a partnership with Brazos Valley Affordable Housing. In the parking lots of Navasota and Huntsville High Schools, Bobby's students built real houses; his students learned what it was to build with both skilled hands and generous hearts.

Bobby had many skills and passions, but he was especially famous for his touch with classic cars. He was recently awarded the prestigious Master Builder Award at the 2024 Houston AutoRama show, honored for his restoration of a 1987 Chevy Blazer. Bobby was also celebrated as a cabinet-maker. His cabinetry is the pride of homes across and beyond Huntsville.

With his family, Bobby saw the world. He was a regular in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico, where he taught his children to ski in the winter and off-road in the summer. He loved the beaches, too-sunning, snorkeling, and scuba diving in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Hawaii, and Tahiti. And, of course, he saw The Eagles in concert twice.

Bobby was famous in his family for beginning each vacation with a threat: "This is gonna be our last vacation, so you better enjoy it." But there was always another vacation, because he couldn't help but bring his family along on every adventure. This time, Bobby just headed out for the trip a little ahead of the rest of us.

We hope he remembered to pack his swimsuit.

A scholarship fund will be established in Bobby's honor, which will support students in Richards, Texas who want to follow in Bobby's footsteps in construction technology.