Raymond Charles McConnell

Mass of Christian burial for Raymond McConnell will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Gillette, Wyoming with Father Tim Martinson officiating. burial will follow in the Gillette, Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.Visitation will be from 57- p.m. on Monday, May 16 at the Walker Funeral Home with a vigil service at 7p.m.Ray "Ray Mac" McConnell, 54, of Gillette lost his short battle with cancer on Thursday, May 12th, 2011 at Campbell County Memorial Hospital.Ray was born January 12, 1957 in Hayward, Wisconsin, the son of Wendall and Dorothy (Ross) McConnell. He attended Lake School Elementary and later graduated from Hayward High School in 1975. He attended college briefly at UW of Eau Claire and also Lakewood Community College. Shorty after college, in 1978, he met the true love of his life and was united in marriage with Patricia (Shuman) McConnell on August 18, 1982. The couple welcomed the birth of their first son, Christopher, that same year. The three moved to Gillette in 1983. In the coming years, the family was blessed with four more children: Jenna, Jordan, Kayleigh and Joshua. When the children started to come in two's he knew they were doing a good job.While still residing in Hayward, he was employed by Tony Wise at Telemark and Historyland. Ray moved on to discover his passion for the oil field when he accepted a job with Exeter Drilling in Gillette. From then on, he would continue to work in the oil and gas industry that he loved until the time of his death. After a brief employment with Exeter, he went to work for Cyclone Drilling until 1999. After the decision to part from Cyclone, he took a job with Lynch Management. From 2006 until 2008 he was employed by PRB Energy. In 2008 he went to work for Pinnacle Gas Resources. In August of 2008, he accepted a position as drilling superintendent with Yates Petroleum and remained there until the time of his death. He became friends with everyone he met in the field and was very well respected. As he always said, "Oilfield always sticks together."Ray's first priority in life was his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was a remarkable husband, father, and grandfather every day of his life. He was an infinite source of support and love. His main goal in life was to make his family as close as possible, in which he was very successful. Another main interest in his life was the road trips that he and Patty took together. The two were constantly on the road and loved their time together. As an avid Green Bay Packers fan, he wouldn't hesitate to gush about a victory over Patty's favored Minnesota Vikings. Those two games per season were a definite cause for a little tension in the house. His other hobbies included photography and poker.Ray is survived by his loving wife of 29 years Patty; children Christopher (Trina) McConnell of Rapid City, SD., Jenna McConnell of Laramie, Jordan McConnell of Laramie, Kayleigh McConnell of Gillette, Josh McConnell of Gillette, and two grandchildre, Londyn and Paisley. He is also survived by a brother; Pat (Donna) McConnell of Hayward, WI., two sisters; Wendy Hanson of Montgomery, TX., and Bridget (Chuck) McConnell of River Falls, WI; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wendall and Dorothy McConnell.Ray was taken too early, leaving an irreversible void in the lives of his family and everyone that knew him. He will be greatly missed by all. Daddy, our time with you was way too short, but you left us with a lifetime of love and memories. A memorial has been established in Ray's name and it's use to be designated at a later date. Memorials can be sent to the Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via the tribute site on the website: www.walkerfuneralgillette.comMass of Christian burial for Raymond McConnell will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Gillette, Wyoming with Father Tim Martinson officiating. burial will follow in the Gillette, Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.Visitation will be from 57- p.m. on Monday, May 16 at the Walker Funeral Home with a vigil service at 7p.m.Ray "Ray Mac" McConnell, 54, of Gillette lost his short battle with cancer on Thursday, May 12th, 2011 at Campbell County Memorial Hospital.Ray was born January 12, 1957 in Hayward, Wisconsin, the son of Wendall and Dorothy (Ross) McConnell. He attended Lake School Elementary and later graduated from Hayward High School in 1975. He attended college briefly at UW of Eau Claire and also Lakewood Community College. Shorty after college, in 1978, he met the true love of his life and was united in marriage with Patricia (Shuman) McConnell on August 18, 1982. The couple welcomed the birth of their first son, Christopher, that same year. The three moved to Gillette in 1983. In the coming years, the family was blessed with four more children: Jenna, Jordan, Kayleigh and Joshua. When the children started to come in two's he knew they were doing a good job.While still residing in Hayward, he was employed by Tony Wise at Telemark and Historyland. Ray moved on to discover his passion for the oil field when he accepted a job with Exeter Drilling in Gillette. From then on, he would continue to work in the oil and gas industry that he loved until the time of his death. After a brief employment with Exeter, he went to work for Cyclone Drilling until 1999. After the decision to part from Cyclone, he took a job with Lynch Management. From 2006 until 2008 he was employed by PRB Energy. In 2008 he went to work for Pinnacle Gas Resources. In August of 2008, he accepted a position as drilling superintendent with Yates Petroleum and remained there until the time of his death. He became friends with everyone he met in the field and was very well respected. As he always said, "Oilfield always sticks together."Ray's first priority in life was his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was a remarkable husband, father, and grandfather every day of his life. He was an infinite source of support and love. His main goal in life was to make his family as close as possible, in which he was very successful. Another main interest in his life was the road trips that he and Patty took together. The two were constantly on the road and loved their time together. As an avid Green Bay Packers fan, he wouldn't hesitate to gush about a victory over Patty's favored Minnesota Vikings. Those two games per season were a definite cause for a little tension in the house. His other hobbies included photography and poker.Ray is survived by his loving wife of 29 years Patty; children Christopher (Trina) McConnell of Rapid City, SD., Jenna McConnell of Laramie, Jordan McConnell of Laramie, Kayleigh McConnell of Gillette, Josh McConnell of Gillette, and two grandchildre, Londyn and Paisley. He is also survived by a brother; Pat (Donna) McConnell of Hayward, WI., two sisters; Wendy Hanson of Montgomery, TX., and Bridget (Chuck) McConnell of River Falls, WI; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wendall and Dorothy McConnell.Ray was taken too early, leaving an irreversible void in the lives of his family and everyone that knew him. He will be greatly missed by all. Daddy, our time with you was way too short, but you left us with a lifetime of love and memories. A memorial has been established in Ray's name and it's use to be designated at a later date. Memorials can be sent to the Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via the tribute site on the website: www.walkerfuneralgillette.comFuneral Home:Walker Funeral Home410 Medical Arts CourtGillette, WYUS 82716