Bobby Connel

Bobby "Bob" Connel, 84, of Abilene passed away December 18, 2015 in Abilene.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Oldham Lane Church of Christ. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the church.

Bob was born on April 17, 1931 in Clyde, TX to the late Oscar Burton Connel and Linnie Franklin Barr Connel. Bob was a graduate of Clyde high school and studied at Abilene Christian College. Bob married Edith Marian Peters on November 15, 1963 in Temple, Texas. They shared a wonderful 52 years of marriage together as parents, grandparents and ministry partners.

He first began preaching at the age of 17 and at age 21 was preaching full time as a pulpit minister. Bob loved the Lord and doing the Lord's work. He served as minister to churches all across Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Bob was full time pulpit minister at the Baker Heights and Central churches of Christ in Abilene.

Bob's special gift was music. From the age of 14, he began leading worship, later leading singing workshops, writing gospel hymns and teaching in many singing schools. He taught music until he was 80 years old and the family has continued this legacy.

Bob was a charter member of the Oldham Lane church of Christ, where he served as deacon, Bible class teacher and song leader.

Bob is survived by his wife, Edie; son, John Barr Connel and wife Suzanne of Grayson, GA; Robert Lloyd Connel and wife Becki of Hodges, TX; daughter, Marian Rene' Connel and boyfriend Kelly Klaerner of Abilene, TX; son, Donald Bruce Connel of Abilene, TX; grandchildren, Matthew, David, Joseph, Adam, Lane and Hannah; and many children to whom Bob was a father figure. He was known variously as Dad, Pop, Daddy, Grandpa, Pypo, GranBob, Uncle Dad, Uncle GranDad, Uncle Bob, Brother Bob and Bobby.

Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.elmwoodfuneral.com

Visitation

Visitation

Oldham Lane Church of Christ
5049 Oldham Lane
Abilene, TX  79602
Monday, December 21, 2015
6:00-8:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Oldham Lane Church of Christ
Oldham Lane
Abilene, TX  79602
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606