Douglas Roy Conner

Douglas Roy Conner 1949 - 2018 Douglas Roy Conner (aka The Duke) passed away on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at age 68, surrounded by loving family members. Doug was born in Boise on December 14, 1949, to Clarence and Laura Conner. Clarence was a hardworking man and Laura was a well-known aviator and flight instructor. Doug was the middle child and never let his siblings, Kitty and Chris (both slightly better-looking than Doug), forget that. A story goes: when Laura was pregnant with Chris, her third and final child, one of her flight students promised Doug a go-cart if Laura was able to finish his lessons before Chris was born. Chris arrived early, costing Doug the first of many fast cars he would later own. Doug was a proud Meridian Warrior and graduated in 1968. He excelled at football, baseball, and the kind of high school debauchery that kept the Meridian Police Department busy. While in high school and college, Doug contributed to the success of the Coors Brewing Company (if only he'd been an actual investor!). He also enjoyed working for Don Bowers at the Meridian Shell Service Station, that is, when he wasn't drag-racing his Chevy II SS Nova at Firebird Raceway, playing ball, or causing some beer-induced mayhem. After graduating in 1972 from his beloved alma mater, Boise State University, Doug went to work for Morrison Knudsen. His employment allowed him to live in vastly different cultures, including Wyoming, California, West Africa, Texas, New Mexico, Seattle, Vancouver, Alaska, Washington, D.C., Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Philippines, where he was married to Edieliza Habla in 1992. Doug retired in 1998 to the family homestead in Meridian. In retirement, Doug was an active and contributing member to Boise State University's Athletic Association, where many student athletes adored him. Doug was well known for his perfectly timed and often irreverent comments. He was a particularly notable figure at BSU tennis matches, where he enlisted in Patton's Army; donning an army helmet. Coach Greg Patton said, "Doug's bellowing and constant shout of "Our House!" was the joyous cheer that Doug would yell out over the course of hundreds of Bronco tennis matches dating back to 1992 when Bronco players' tennis skills would resonate and became the mantra for years of Boise State tennis dominance." Doug also quit drinking in retirement. What may have been a loss for the beer and whiskey industries was a gain for the rest of us. Doug will be remembered as a foe of the Idaho Vandals, a serious doubter of Democrats, and a skeptic of the Red Sox. He was infatuated with Corvettes, good-looking women, the New York Yankees, Indianapolis Colts, horse racing, and Boise State University. He will be cheering on his beloved Broncos in heaven, no doubt with some colorful language! In heaven, Doug joins his only son, Kent, his parents, and his sister-in-law, Janell (a Vandals fan). Doug is survived by Liza Conner and his siblings, Chris (Reata) Conner and Kitty (Ramon) Stewart. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Andrea (Barry) Drake, Nickie (Jason) Bates, Beau Stewart, Courtney (Jason) Lehosit, and Clayton Conner, as well as many great nieces and nephews, and cousins. The family would like to thank Doug's care-giver, Kristin Campbell, for her love, support, and friendship this past year. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 11, 2018 at 12:00pm at Cloverdale Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Meridian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 'Douglas R. Conner & Kent P. Conner End. Sch. Football-DL' through Boise State University. To Doug: "May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars." - Blow, the movie