RODNEY JAMES MCCONNELL of Fair Oaks Ranch, Tex., died Feb. 17, 2012, at age 91. He was born in Madison, Wis., to Oren and Lydia McConnell. He attended high school in Stoughton, Wis. He received a B.A. Degree from Luther College, Decorah, after which he began his career with the Dupont Company. On Jan. 23, 1943 he married LILLIAN (STADSVOLD) MCCONNELL ‘44 in Starbuck, Minn. He served in the Pacific Theater with the U.S. Navy during World War II as commanding officer on an LCT. His career involved many aspects of the automotive industry, having been employed by Sinclair Oil Company, Monsanto Chemical, Ford Motor Company, Automotive Research Associates, San Antonio and as a consultant with Shell Chemical Co. He retired as President of Automotive Research. He was active in the Society of Automotive Engineers, American Petroleum Institute and the American Society for Testing Materials. Because his hobby was restoring antique cars, he was a member of the Alamo City Corvair Assn., Key to the Hills Vintage Car Club and the Fredericksburg Vintage Car Club. Wherever he was located he was active in Lutheran Churches, serving on building committees, councils and offices. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Boerne, where his Memorial Service was held on Feb. 24, 2012 He is survived by his wife, Lillian; sons, David, John and his wife, Barbara; nieces, Jane Brogue and Cathy Bunn, Leawood, Kan. He was a member of Heritage Club at Luther College. Memorials may be sent to St. John Lutheran Church, Box 1081, Boerne, TX or to Odyssey Hospice, 4440 S. Piedras Dr., San Antonio, TX 78228. You may sign the on-line guestbook at www.missionparks.com under the obituary section.