Conner, James E.

James E. Conner, Jr., 75, of Riner, passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Conner, Sr. and wife Ruby.

Growing up in Floyd County James attended Check High School. After graduation he worked at Kroger in Salem for 33 years. Following a brief retirement from Kroger, James went back to work as a valet at Carilion in the New River Valley for five years. James was a loyal and passionate fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Vikings, Virginia Cavaliers athletics, and Jeff Gordon racing. In his spare time James enjoyed gardening, canning food, and going on 4-wheeling trips to West Virginia with his friends.

James is survived by his wife of 17 years, Linda Hoosier; daughter, Cindy Conner; son, Jeff Conner; stepchildren, Sharon Wright, Stephen Wiley, and Suzanne Wiley; grandchildren, Allen and Adam Conner, Amber Dalton, Dustin McClure, Matthew and Bethany LaPrade, Shelley and Shane Wright, and Claire and Emma Wiley; great-grandchildren, Brayden and Mila LaPrade, and Camden Conner; and long-time friends, Doug Westmoreland, Brenda Horne, and Jimmy, Sarah, Landon, and Ava Marrs.

A funeral service will be held at Copper Hill Church of the Brethren at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 24, 2019 with Pastor Dan Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends at Oakey’s South Chapel on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in James’s memory.