Obituary of Leo Vincent McConnell

Leo Vincent McConnell, 93, of Pearland, Texas passed away on January 29, 2022, at home with his loving wife Gabriela by his side. Leo was born in Houston, Texas to Paul Julian and Bridget Veronica Duffy McConnell on July 31, 1928. He graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1947. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1951 and a Master of Business Administration in 1953 at the University of Houston. He worked as a builder for many years and even owned his own mortgage company- McConnell Mortgage Company. Later he worked for a couple of title companies and ended up being an assistant vice-president for Fidelity National Title and worked with them until he was 90 years old! Leo is preceded in death by his parents, his stepson Zeferino Valdez, and his son - in-law Charles Thurmond. Leo is survived by his wife Gabriela; his children Linda Thurmond, Peggy McConnell, and Leo Vincent McConnell III; his stepdaughter Gabriela Valdez; his grandchildren Logan (Rachel) Thurmond, Nola (Chris) Hranicky, Abigail (Bryan) Chavez, Zeferino Soto, and Andrew Soto; his great-grandchildren Amber, Zane, Reagan, Austin, Giannina, Arian, and his great-great granddaughter Bristol. Leo was a member of the Texas Rangers Foundation, which was based in Waco, and he was a deputy constable in Waller County. He was a Life Member of the University of Houston Alumni Association and helped Coach Guy Lewis with recruiting basketball players for the university. Leo enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. He enjoyed hunting for deer, big game, and all types of birds. He met his wife Gabriela 35 years ago while on a hunting trip in Mexico. He participated in saltwater fishing tournaments and, in one, he assisted in catching the largest fish, a 289-pound shark! He participated in golf tournaments and won first place in one held by the North Houston Builders Association. He briefly played on the professional golf circuit. The funeral will be held at the Clayton Funeral Home in Pearland, Texas. Family and close friends are invited to attend and pay their last respects. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association, or the University of Houston Athletics.(https://giving.uh.edu/gift/?allocation=HC64939RN)