Charles Edward McConnell

Charles Edward McConnell, 86, of Gore, was born August 3, 1938, at Wolf Mountain, near Vian, Oklahoma, to Elmer and Bertha (Noel) McConnell. He peacefully passed away at his home on January 9, 2025, with his daughters by his side. He married Leveta (Johnson) Andrews on May 6, 1977, in Stigler, Oklahoma. Charles was a wonderful man. Anyone who knew him loved him. He deeply loved his family. He and his wife, Leveta, attended many of their grandkids' ballgames over the years. He and his great-grandson, Ty, became best buddies and enjoyed spending time together. A phrase that became commonly said between them was, "I love you more than the world." He always looked forward to Sunday visits from his daughter Gayla, who would bring Charlie’s Chicken. He loved the Gore Pirates. He announced football for many years and was known as "the voice of the Pirates" in the community. He was the first announcer when Gore football started in the 1970s and retired from announcing in 2002. He also enjoyed the years he spent coaching Gore baseball and often spoke fondly of the players. He himself played baseball during his high school years and served on the school board for four years. He was very proud of the new event center and requested that his funeral service be held there. He had asked a couple of family members if they had ever seen or been in it, referring to it as "state of the art." Charles was very active in the Gore community. He volunteered for the fire department and served on the Lions Club. He always looked forward to participating in the annual Christmas parade and Easter egg hunt. He attended Gore Schools and graduated from high school in 1956, where he served as treasurer of his senior class. In his later years, he found joy in having a picture of his 5th-grade class and could name all of his classmates. He attended Connors State College for business and graduated in 1958. While there, he worked part-time, peeling 100 pounds of potatoes every day with Bob Nation, as well as washing dishes each night. Charles also played baseball at Connors and still had the glove he used. Charles had many friends. A good friend was Don Carter, with whom he rode to many ballgames. Johnny Dyer was also a close friend, and Charles would often say, "That boy would do anything for me." He enjoyed going to the Gore Nutrition Center to visit and play dominoes. He loved Braum's, and his favorite ice cream was black walnut. He couldn't pass by without getting a "double dip." He also loved El Lago and Sonic, where he would visit 2–3 times a day. He adored the workers there, and they loved him as well. Coworkers even brought him cheeseburgers when he went to the nursing home. He enjoyed visiting the Tiki Cabana, where he always ordered vanilla ice cream and visited with Jacey. Charles also enjoyed his time at the nursing home, where he was loved by both the staff and residents. Charles was a hard worker. He often spoke of working in the cotton fields for $5.00 a day. He worked at Containers in Muskogee for two years. The majority of his workdays were spent in the grocery business, including stores such as Hayes Store, Box IGA, Budget Saver, and Harps. He worked in the grocery business for 42 years. Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Leveta, in December 2018. Those left to cherish his memories are his two daughters, Melissa Sumpter and husband Steve of Gore, OK, and Gayla Johnson and husband Waylon of Sallisaw, OK; sons, Gary Andrews and wife Sherri of Webbers Falls, OK, Bret Andrews of Gore, OK, and Tad Andrews and wife Becky of Broken Arrow, OK; granddaughters, Hali Schmille and husband Spencer of Sallisaw, OK, Taylor Johnson of Sallisaw, OK, and Chelsea Andrews of Gore, OK; grandsons, Steven Sumpter and wife Bethany of Gore, OK, Beau Johnson and wife Madi of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, Jordan Andrews and wife Amanda of Webbers Falls, OK, Logan and wife Kali Andrews of Muskogee, OK, Dakota Andrews of Gore, OK, Isaac and Seth Andrews of Broken Arrow, OK; great-grandchildren, Ty and Tate Sumpter, Sawyer and Suttyn Schmille, Laiken and Stetson Andrews, Raylee Wiedel, Ava and Audrey Andrews, and Ace Romine, many nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Bertha McConnell; brothers, Mike McConnell, Bill McConnell, and Clyde McConnell; sisters, Lahoma Cassinger, Emma Risley, Bonnie Terrell, Alice Garris, and Susie McConnell; and grandson, Colton Andrews. He has one surviving brother, Gary McConnell and wife Ronna of Warner, OK. Visitation with family will be Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Clifford D. Garrett Family Funeral Home in Fort Gibson. Funeral services will be held at the Gore Event Center (Gore High School Gym) on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM with Brothers Doug Bane and William Armstrong officiating. Casket bearers are Steven Sumpter, Jordan Andrews, Logan Andrews, Dakota Andrews, Gary Cunningham, and Damon Sheffield. Honorary casket bearers are Stan Sheffield and Steve Barrick. The family will have a private inurnment at a later date at South Bethel Cemetery in Braggs, OK. The family of Charles Edward McConnell has entrusted his care and services to Clifford D. Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555. Online condolences may be left for the McConnell family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com.

Charles Edward McConnell

August 3, 1938 - January 9, 2025