Thomas Howard McConnell

Tom was born in Albuquerque, NM on July 19, 1953. He is proceeded in death by his mother and father, Elsie Mahan McConnell and Earl McConnell and his brother Ronald McConnell. He is survived by his sister, Shirley McConnell, brother Patrick McConnell, his children Jennifer McConnell (Joe Marquez) of Albuquerque, NM, his daughter Stephanie Allen (Michael) of Pace Florida, his son Mark McConnell (Amy) of Rio Rancho, NM, and his son Brad McConnell of Pace, Florida. Tom leaves behind the grandchildren that were his why: Mikey Allen, Hunter Case, Piper McConnell, Kaylee McConnell, James Allen, Aidan McConnell, Patrick Allen, Kassidy McConnell, Parker McConnell, and many well-loved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Tom graduated from Albuquerque High School and began working for Union 76. That took him to for a short time to Winnemucca, NV where he was the youngest truck stop manager in the company’s history. During that time, he welcomed his daughter Jennifer with his former wife Victoria Garcia Peters.

Tom returned to Albuquerque in 1976 and attended the University of New Mexico studying computer sciences. An example and testament of his foresight and exceptional intelligence. Tom welcomed three more children, Stephanie, Mark and Brad with his former wife Anita Evans Gunter.

Tom and Anita started TNT Distributing on October 1, 1983. A battery, starter and alternator rebuilding business that Tom ran successfully until he retired in January of 2021. In those 37 years Tom made lifelong friends that he worked alongside and many that worked for him loyally for most of those years. Tom was generous and graceful with the people who worked for him, modeling and understanding that family came first. Working for Tom meant that there was a safety net and that second and subsequent chances were given far beyond what others would have advised. Tom believed that who you are in business reflected who you are and the phrase “it’s not personal it’s just business” was only an excuse for poor character.

Beginning a faith journey at Fruit Avenue Baptist Church under the guidance and example of his mother, Tom was a young man when accepted the gift of salvation from his Savior, Jesus Christ. He faithfully attended and served in the church throughout his life. As a young man he was informed by his mother he would be teaching Bible study on Sundays at a church plant in the East Mountains of Albuquerque, a time he reflected on often in his later years. He believed this push out of his comfort zone transformed the way he relied on God. Tom touched the lives of numerous others who he welcomed into his life through his church of over 40 years, First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho. Tom saw the expansion of the physical building not once but twice. The first time he worked alongside other men and women of the church with his own hammer and nails to build the extension. Tom could be counted on year after year to tithe faithfully and then above and beyond to sponsor youth going to camp, children’s activities, missionaries and so many other activities that helped reach people with the love of Christ.

Tom was generous with his time, his laughter and his material wealth. He gave freely to those in need and the need didn’t have to fit his criteria he gave where God led him. PopPop as he was called most of the time by many people, he met in the last 20 years always showed up for his people. No accomplishment too small for celebration and no opportunity missed to be together.

Tom took his family on many adventures, mostly to Disney World but many to all the corners of the country. A true Disney adult before the term existed. It was teased that Tom went to Disney World in lieu of therapy; to which he would quip “it’s cheaper”. The magic of Disney represents who was inside the tough exterior of Tom. He believed in dreaming big, kindness, happy endings and adventure. He will be missed beyond measure by all who were blessed to know him.

He wanted to live near his sister close to the ocean a dream that he saw come true in the last year of his life. The family will hold a private service to honor Tom and disperse his ashes in the places he loved