Dr. Donald W. Conner, Jr. November 3, 1937 – September 23, 2014 Dr. Donald W. Conner, Jr., 76, of Terre Haute, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness. He had just participated in the weekend wedding of his youngest son. Born in Seymour, Indiana to Donald W. Conner and Muriel Joy Conner of Brownstown, he was a graduate of Otter Creek High School and Indiana State Teachers College. He graduated from the Indiana University School of Optometry, and joined his father in practice in Terre Haute. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Virginia Jane Adams Conner, and six children; Kathi Conner and Cathy Van Tassel of Denver, Colorado; Michael and Kerri Conner of Castle Pines, Colorado; Jon Tyler Conner -an optometrist – of Covington, Washington; Mariette and Michael Schuster of Littleton, Colorado; Andrew and Jill Conner of Terre Haute; and Christopher and Erin Conner of Terre Haute; 13 grandchildren, Jace Conner; Colin, McKinsey, and Mason Conner; Hannah, Abigail and Erica Joy Schuster; Isabelle, Charlie, Theo, and Henry Conner; and Ellie and Sophia Conner. Also a sister, Nancy and Charles Buckalew, and a brother, John and Judy Conner of Terre Haute, as well as an aunt, Sue Conner of Peru, Indiana, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. As an optometrist, he was in practice with his father for nearly forty years. Known for his thorough exams, he was an early leader in developing therapies for learning disabilities and cognitive development as they relate to vision. He served as President of the Indiana Optometric Association in 1973, was named Optometrist of the Year in 1981, and was honored for Meritorious Service to the Association in 1991. He was a gubernatorial appointee to the Indiana State Board of Optometry for many years, and helped lead the effort to secure prescribing rights for optometrists, testifying before the Federal Trade Commission. With his father, he promoted the highest ideals of professionalism, and maintained a traditional, independent practice until his semi-retirement. He practiced at the Federal Penitentiary for decades, enjoyed visiting patients in nursing homes and on house calls, and especially loved seeing patients at St. Anne's Clinic. He continued to see patients at his home office until last week. His hobbies and interests ranged from music to gardening, woodworking, and fishing to photography, storytelling, and natural history. He leaves a legacy of curiosity and a love of learning. He almost never stood still, except to satisfy his voracious appetite for books, and he had good friends at the Vigo County Public Library. He was drum major in high school, sang in the Indiana Hoosiers, and played piano in dance bands through college. He was a founding baritone in the Farrington Grove Chorale. He played flute, ukulele, and spoons. Music enriched his life deeply. At his bedside, his family joined in song to carry him to the heavenly choir. For all of his busyness, he cherished family time above all else. He and Janie, his wife of forty four years, were inseparable. He was a maker, a builder, and relished the challenge in forging new tools and devising clever solutions. From mouse traps to tractor parts to optometric equipment, he tinkered and improved and created. As a gentleman farmer, he and Janie built a herd of twenty eight alpacas at Lookout Farm. They were among the original vendors at the Downtown Farmers Market, and were known for their organic eggs, alpaca products, and basil. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, the Kiwanis Club of Terre Haute, BPOE Elks 86, and was a Lay Eucharistic Minister at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 am Saturday, September 27 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, with the Burial Service at 11:00 am, followed by interment in the family plot at Kennedy Cemetery, adjacent to the family farm. Memorial donations may be made to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, the Farrington Grove Chorale, or the Terre Haute Children's Choir. DeBaun Funeral homes, Springhill Chapel is in charge of arrangements.