Denzil McConnell

Denzil McConnell, age 88, embarked on his final adventure on April 12, 2026. He was born in Jasper, Missouri on February 28th, 1938 to Ernest and Beulah McConnell. He was a 1956 graduate of Carthage High School, Carthage, Missouri, and was a member of the Carthage Tigers football team who were undefeated his Senior year. After high school graduation, he joined the United States Army. He spent much of his 3 year service in Germany, where he saw Elvis Presley in a jeep, and dated many frauleins. He spoke fluent German for the rest of his life.

After returning to the states, he married the love of his life, Sharon Houston McConnell on November 18, 1960. They were married for 40 years before she passed away in 2001.

He was a member of the Carthage Archery Club, and served for many years as the commissioner for the Carthage Baseball Park, a job he truly loved. He loved the sport, and watching his son Chance hit homeruns out of the park on a regular basis.

He was employed at the Atlas Powder Company plant for over 25 years. He then worked as a Nuclear Power Instrumentation Technician in nuclear power plants located in Kansas, North Carolina, Maine, and Louisiana. He finally landed in Arkansas where he worked for Arkansas Nuclear One, Russellville, for several years before retiring in 2002.

He was avid outdoorsman who for several years would bow hunt for deer in Missouri and Colorado. He loved all forms of wildlife, but hated snakes. He made hundreds of beautiful, handmade knives, a dying art he taught and passed on to his son, Chance, his son-in-law Mike, and his beloved nephew, David Haffner. The tradition lives on. Of all the knives he made over his life, he only sold one. He said he "never could turn down a young boy or man who admired and needed one."

He was a great cook. He was the only person we ever met who didn't like pizza, but loved eating pickled pig's feet. He loved to "pick" on his guitar with his son-In-law Lyndel. He was famous for singing "Lucille" and "Long Haired Country Boy."

Mostly he will be remembered for his love of his family. His grandchildren hold dear the memories of camping, riding In his black Jeep listening to Tammy Wynette, and the crazy ghost stories about "Liver Eating Johnson" he would tell them that they loved, even though it scared them to death. He took his only grandson to cemeteries to look at old gravestones, and to do etchings.

He also loved a good beer, and hopefully, when he arrived in Heaven, his nephew, Bobby "The Rat" McConnell, met him with a cold one. It remains to be seen, but he would have loved that.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 8 brothers, Robert Roy, Ralph, George, Kenneth, Charles, Donald and John, as well as 2 sisters, Lola Haffner and Barbara Hill.

He is survived by his daughters, Tammy Navarro and husband Lyndel, Denver, Colorado, Pammy Lunn and husband Mike, Tatum, Texas, and son Chance and wife Jackie, Adamsville, Tennessee. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Alissa Wilkle and husband Dave, Alex Navarro, Shanna Dean and husband Jason, Chelsea Shores, and Madison McConnell, as well as 2 step-grandsons, Michael and Justin Lunn.

He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Tristan and Reid Saliman, Veda Navarro, Caitlin, Ellse and Isla Dean, as well as 2 step-grandchildren, Drake and Ava Lunn. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews who all loved their "Uncle Denny."

As per his wishes, he was cremated. There will be a graveside service at 12:00 noon on May 23rd, 2026, at Oak Hill Cemetery, Carthage, Missouri. In lieu of flowers the family asks if you want to honor his love of nature and wildlife, donations can be made In his name to the National Wildlife Federation, www.supportnwf.org.

He was a Christian who is now with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a good man who led a good life, and he was loved.