Michael Dan Connor, 50, passed away in his sleep unexpectedly of natural causes, Sept. 3, 2011 at home. He was born April 19, 1961 in Richmond to the late Dan M. and Jane "Penny" Clem Connor. He is survived by his loving and devoted son and the pride and joy of his life, Dwayne Michael Connor, 17, of Chesapeake; his sisters, Dayna Connor Miller and husband Mike of Virginia Beach, Julie Connor Brown and husband Tom of Chesapeake, Georgie Connor June and husband Jeff of Chesapeake. He also was beloved by his nieces and nephews, Katherine Brown, Chris Miller, Nathan Miller, Daniel Brown, Connor June and a grand-niece, Abbie Miller. Mike is also survived by his loving girlfriend, Melanie Roberts of Ashland. Mike was a member of the Class of 1980, Kempsville High School, and was employed by Givens Transportation of Chesapeake for more than 31 years as a long distance driver and mechanic and cherished his many friendships there and on the road, logging more than three million miles of accident-free driving. Mike and his son Dwayne were recently honored to be chosen to transport the World Trade Center steel and Pentagon artifact to Chesapeake from New York City under police escort, which he described as "the best day of my life." Mike was devoted to his family and enjoyed boating and working on the family cabin at Tyro, Va., that he and his father built. Mike will be cherished in our hearts as a loving son, father, brother, uncle and good friend. Services will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Norfolk, with the Revs. Cecille Mills and David Penman officiating. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Givens Transportation, the Chesapeake Police Department and the Chesapeake Sheriff's Department for their many kindnesses shown to Mike and Dwayne during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Dwayne Michael Connor Custodial account at BB&T Bank, Kempsville Branch, 1433 Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach. "A good person will always be remembered." (Psalm 112:6) Rest easy, driver. We've got the wheel for you. Condolences can be made at www.altmeyer.com.

Published in The Virginian Pilot on September 8, 2011
Reprinted here by the family.