Timmy Conner, 59, long time resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, went to be with the Lord on November 4, 2018 at North Hills Life Care & Rehab in Fayetteville, AR.

He leaves behind his brother, Cork Conner, who has been his devoted caregiver since 1998; his siblings Gabe, Wendy, Jim, Buddy, and Tracee; and his monkeys – Buford, Bertha, and Bubba.

Timmy was born on January 14, 1959 in West Virginia to Howard Conner and Carole Sutherland Conner. At the age of three, Timmy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and profound mental retardation. His unique presence and bright smile was a blessing for anyone lucky enough to have known him.

When he was four, Timmy’s dad died suddenly and he moved with his mom to Chattanooga, Tennessee so he could attend Orange Grove Center from 1969 to 1989. It was there that his mom met and married Lloyd Ray Smith, the Area 4 director of Special Olympics.

In 1987, Timmy won a gold medal for the 25 meter wheelchair race at the International Special Olympics at Notre Dame University. He was known all over as our “Gold Medal Man”.

Timmy spent the majority of his last 15 years with Cork, who sacrificed a great deal to make sure he was cared for. He never wanted for anything, and one of the greatest joys of his life was being with his big brother.

Tim loved being with his mom, laughing at Lloyd Ray, watching Gabe and Wendy grow up, going out to hear live music, going to Sunday School class at the First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga, and watching his favorite TV shows. He taught us all a million lessons we couldn’t have learned without him. His extraordinary life was and is a witness to the boundless love of God.

A private family service will be held to celebrate Timmy’s memory. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to either Orange Grove Center at 615 Derby St, Chattanooga, TN 37404 or to Area 4 Special Olympics at 4210 Ringgold Road, EastRidge, TN 37412.