Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Connors, Gerald “Jerry”

Age 79

CONNORS, Gerald “Jerry” (Age 79) Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, coach and friend, passed away August 25, 2015 at Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Born in Seattle, WA June 17, 1936 to Stephen and Eleanor (Goodwin) Connors, Jerry moved to Spokane at a young age and belonged to St. Aloysius Church where he was an altar boy, and graduated from Gonzaga High School in 1955.

He got the honor to play in the Spokane All-Star game in 1955 and was voted, by his peers, the “All-City” Team Captain the same year.

He went on to the University of Montana where he received a four-year scholarship to play football under Jerry Williams and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960.

He then turned to Eastern Washington State College and received two masters’ degrees.

After his years of schooling, Jerry played semi-pro football for the BC Lions in Vancouver before settling into his career as a Hall of Fame high school football coach.

The newly recognized ‘Coach Connors’ started his career as an assistant coach at Missoula High School in 1960, then moved on to assist at Medical Lake High School for two years before he became head coach until 1970.

During the last three seasons, his teams were undefeated.

Jerry then started a 12 year journey at Lewis & Clark High School from 1971-82, where his teams made finals the last eight seasons, were Spokane City League Champions twice and GSL Champions once.

He then moved on to Central Valley High School, where he finished his head coaching career in 1993.

He ended his career entirely after accepting an assistant coaching position under Steve Kent at West Valley High School from 1993-98.

During his 30+ years as a coach, Jerry also became a member of the Knights of Columbus, taught at High Schools and colleges, coached two All-Star games, served on the executive board for the W.S.C.A., served as W.S.C.A.

President for two years, and was inducted into the W.S.C.A.

Hall of Fame in 1991 for his coaching excellency.

His legacy and his love are left with his family and all of the lives he has changed.He was preceded in death by wife Donna Lee (Hinkle) Connors (married 1957) and daughter Christy Lee Connors.

He is survived by wife Shirley Connors (married 1997) and step-son Connor Smith; daughter Susan Bird, her husband Brad, and their children Bradley Bird, Aryn Welliver, and Shanin Bird; son Mike Connors, his wife Sara, and their children Nichole Weed, Neil, Whitney, Tyler, and Noah Connors; Kelli Dexter, her husband Roger, and their children Hannah Johnson and Haley Dexter; sisters’ Eileen Krueger and Ellen Rogers; brother Terry Connors; brother, and coaching companion of over 25 years, Tim Connors; nine great-grandchildren; and nine nieces and nephews.

He has always been loved, and will always be remembered.

Thursday, September 3rd, visitation will be held from 10am-7pm at Hennessey Funeral Home on Division, with a Rosary at 7pm.

Services will be held Friday, September 4th, at 11am at St. Aloysius Church on Gonzaga’s campus.

To view Jerry’s online memorial, please visit www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com