JB McConnell passed away peacefully at his home in Oakdale, CA on Sunday September 5, 2021 at the age of 92.
JB was born on May 1, 1929 in Midland, Arkansas to Fred and Myrtle McConnell. He was the oldest of 14 children. His father Fred ran a labor camp and followed the crops to Huron, CA where the family would stay for a few years. It was while working in the cotton fields in Huron that JB met Ruby Gilmore. The two would marry in 1949 and raise a family of five children. JB aspired to be an auctioneer but that didn’t work out so he pursued a career in construction.
JB and Ruby moved to the Bay Area where he would go on to get his General Contractors license in 1960. Along with two business partners he started TWM Prefab in San Carlos, CA. The business was a success and continued for five years before they sold the business and moved to Oakdale in 1967. In 1969 he purchased a 40 acre piece of property in Oakdale. This property was purchased when he started a registered Angus Business which he ran from 1970-1976.
In the late 1960’s and early 70’s he was a bush pilot. He would eventually purchase his own plane and get his pilot’s license in 1980. He flew many trips to the East Coast and Mexico in the 80’s.
JB had a passion for mules and in the mid 70’s he bought his first jack and started a breeding service. From there he would go on to Performance & Competition shows and then became part of the Back Country Horseman’s Association. For 10 years he would pack into Kennedy Meadows/Immigrant Basin.
JB and Ruby moved from their 40 acres in Oakdale to Tuolumne from 1992-2002. While in Tuolumne they would split their 40 acre Oakdale parcel into 10 acres and sold all but one. In 2002 they moved back to Oakdale on the remaining 10 acres where they would build their final home. They lived there until 2021.
JB is survived by his children Karen Huffman of Waterford, CA, Terry McConnell of Oakdale, CA, Kevin (Deborah) McConnell of Oakdale, CA, 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife Ruby McConnell, daughter Tammie McConnell, son Steve McConnell, son-in-law Perry Huffman.
There will be a viewing at Oakdale Memorial Chapel, Tuesday September 14, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Graveside Service at Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson, CA Wednesday, September 15 at 1 p.m.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
JB was born on May 1, 1929 in Midland, Arkansas to Fred and Myrtle McConnell. He was the oldest of 14 children. His father Fred ran a labor camp and followed the crops to Huron, CA where the family would stay for a few years. It was while working in the cotton fields in Huron that JB met Ruby Gilmore. The two would marry in 1949 and raise a family of five children. JB aspired to be an auctioneer but that didn’t work out so he pursued a career in construction.
JB and Ruby moved to the Bay Area where he would go on to get his General Contractors license in 1960. Along with two business partners he started TWM Prefab in San Carlos, CA. The business was a success and continued for five years before they sold the business and moved to Oakdale in 1967. In 1969 he purchased a 40 acre piece of property in Oakdale. This property was purchased when he started a registered Angus Business which he ran from 1970-1976.
In the late 1960’s and early 70’s he was a bush pilot. He would eventually purchase his own plane and get his pilot’s license in 1980. He flew many trips to the East Coast and Mexico in the 80’s.
JB had a passion for mules and in the mid 70’s he bought his first jack and started a breeding service. From there he would go on to Performance & Competition shows and then became part of the Back Country Horseman’s Association. For 10 years he would pack into Kennedy Meadows/Immigrant Basin.
JB and Ruby moved from their 40 acres in Oakdale to Tuolumne from 1992-2002. While in Tuolumne they would split their 40 acre Oakdale parcel into 10 acres and sold all but one. In 2002 they moved back to Oakdale on the remaining 10 acres where they would build their final home. They lived there until 2021.
JB is survived by his children Karen Huffman of Waterford, CA, Terry McConnell of Oakdale, CA, Kevin (Deborah) McConnell of Oakdale, CA, 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife Ruby McConnell, daughter Tammie McConnell, son Steve McConnell, son-in-law Perry Huffman.
There will be a viewing at Oakdale Memorial Chapel, Tuesday September 14, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Graveside Service at Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson, CA Wednesday, September 15 at 1 p.m.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Sept. 15, 2021
