Connors brought heart to every role in a colorful life

By Alonzo Weston

Jim Connors was one of those iconic figures who just figured would be around forever. But like most, if not all, of our iconic figures, they leave us too soon. Connors died on Aug. 2 at the age of 79.

The dash between his birth on March 30, 1945, and death last week is filled with a life full of adventure, inspiration and grandfather knee-sitting stories.

Jim was an actor, volunteer fireman, disc jockey, television weatherman, wrestling announcer, shop owner, car salesman and police officer for more than 30 years.

I remember Jim most as a wrestling announcer and television personality. When fellow news reporter Ken Newton and I visited his home some years ago, we interviewed him about his days as a wrestling announcer.

Jim was an announcer in the days when the wrestlers were big, hairy guys like Bob Geigel and Sonny Myers with names like “Bulldog” and “Junkyard Dog.”

We listened to Jim tell stories from his dining room table one sunny morning with cups of coffee and lively conversation.

He told of bad guys eating dinner with the so-called enemy good guys after fights. He recalled Sonny Myers sleeper holds and Baron von Rasche thumb gouges and fights outside the ring. He remembered the twin old ladies, Mertie and Gertie, who sat ringside for every match to beat the bad guys with their purses.

He remembered how outside the ring the bad guys were nicer than the prima donna good guys.

Jim, who was short in stature and wiry into older age with the build of a horse jockey, also was known as a dedicated police officer. He was fearless for his size and made up for his small stature with fierce determination and drive. Whatever Jim did he did it with burning dedication and plenty of compassion.

He was one of those guys who when he entered a room a thousand smiles would light his way. He just had that warm caring personality and childish chuckle with a knowing gleam in his eye.

The cheerful man you saw on Saturday night television announcing fights was the same man you saw on the street in public life. Jim was open and honest almost to a fault. There was not a shade of pretense in his makeup. He was genuine. Whatever faults he may have had, the brightness of his life and smile burned through them all like the sun burning through the clouds on a rainy day.

Jim just had that effect on people when they were around him. You could not help but smile in his presence. He had that way about him. Humble and compassionate despite all his life accomplishments. Always the same old Jim. We’ll all miss him even if we haven’t seen him in a while. He was just someone who we felt was always going to be here through our days.

They say if you live long enough you’ll see your heroes and icons die. We’ve lost many and now we’ve lost another one. Goodbye Jim Connors. God bless you and your family.