Noel Eugene Mcconnell

Noel "Tinker" Eugene McConnell passed away at his home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Friday September 14, 2018. He was 73 years old. Tinker was born on August 19, 1945, in Raton, New Mexico to Phil and Faye McConnell. He and his two brothers, Herbie Lee and Donnie Ray, grew up on the family ranch in Farley, New Mexico. Tinker was the youngest of the boys and once bought a car with a hot check (he had wrecked the car he had) and came home to tell his Dad who had to cover the cost. You see, that was Tinker-- ornery as the day is long. He graduated from Farley High School in 1963. He was one of seven people in the graduating class. In 1969, Dick Shaw set Tinker up on a blind date with Kathy Scheier. That blind date resulted in their marriage in 1970.... a marriage that would last 48 years. Their first daughter, Monique, was born in 1971. He and Kathy made their home in Las Cruces where Tinker attended New Mexico State University. He graduated with a degree in Agricultural Economics in 1976. Their second daughter, Denise, was born that same year. In 1978 Tinker, Kathy, Monique and Denise moved to Hatch, New Mexico, where they set down their roots and lived for 40 years. He started working at Western Bank as Branch Manager where he made many lifelong friends. He wasn't happy working behind a desk, since his first love was "playing" in the dirt, so he left banking to continue his passion with road construction as a heavy equipment operator. He worked all over the state of New Mexico as well as Utah, Arizona and California. For a time, he also worked as an onion broker for Jerry Franzoy and with Gilbert Bartlett moving houses. Tinker enjoyed playing games--pool, dominoes, horseshoes, cards--any game except Pictionary! His favorite was pool, having been taught at a very young age how to play by his grandfather. He would challenge anyone to a game of pool stating that he would even play "left handed and with one eye closed". He loved to have fun with his family and friends playing any kind of game and was very competitive, and usually the winner, in everything he played. Many friends would come over to his back porch in Hatch to play Dominoes, where he and his partner won more often than not. He was an avid fisherman and spent many hours on the Rio Grande, Elephant Butte and Caballo Lakes with his fishing buddy, Jim Whitlock. Tinker and Kathy enjoyed traveling and went on many cruises and bus tours. Favorite family vacations were spent on a house boat at Lake Powell or camping in the mountains. On one of the Lake Powell trips, he got in trouble for throwing the last onion overboard, but he was somewhat "deflated" when he broke a rib while water skiing. Dancing was another favorite pastime. He and Kathy square danced for several years and probably wore out many a dance floor two-stepping and waltzing. He loved adventure and mischief and you could always count on him to be the life of the party. Tinker believed in community and was active in the Village of Hatch. He belonged to Eastern Star and the Masons and was a recipient of the Grand Cross of Color. He served as co-chairman of the Hatch Chile Festival. Tinker served two terms on the Board of Trustees for the Village of Hatch and was appointed Police Commissioner for the Hatch Police Department for a term. He was also a member of the Elks and Eagles clubs. Tinker received an Honorary Chapter Farmer award from the Hatch FFA. Tinker is survived by his loving wife Kathy, daughter Monique Moeller (Clint), and daughter Denise McConnell, his grandchildren, Madison, Ella and Daegan Moeller all of Las Cruces, and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers. A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Hatch on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice, who showed kindness and love to Tinker and his family
Service Information
Saturday, September 22, 2018 10:00am,
First Baptist Church
421 Franklin St.
Hatch, New Mexico 87937