Jon Alan Connelly

Mr. Jon Alan Connelly was born December 27th, 1945.  He was raised in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, but resided in Gallatin County for the last 44 years.  He went to his Heavenly Home on March 14th, 2020, after a courageous battle with an extended illness.  He left this earth surrounded by his family in his home.  Jon was affectionately called "Pops" by those that loved him.  Pops is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Rita (Rudd) Connelly; his daughter, Andrea Connelly Sullivan of Warsaw, KY., his son: Davey (Davey Boy) Sullivan of Warsaw, KY., and his precious granddaughter, Kember Sullivan of Warsaw, KY.  Pops loved that he always "rolled 5 deep" with his family.  He also leaves behind a brother, Thomas Connelly of Fort Wright, Kentucky and a sister Susie Connelly of Lakeside Park, Kentucky.  Pops loved his extended family very much.  He is survived by his mother-in-law, Chesley Rudd; three sister-in-laws: Brenda Gosney, Leshia Rudd, and Kimberley Burgess; one brother-in-law, Willie Rudd and many nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by Charles and Shirley Hall and their families of Georgia.  Pops was very close to the Sullivan Family and considered them his own.  He also had two very special play buddies, that brought him much joy: Eva Sullivan and Brantley Maupin.  Pops was preceded in death by his father: Clyde Connelly, his mother: Dolores Ulm Connelly, his father-in-law: Ed Rudd and his sister-in-law: Sandra Lykins.

Pops was a member of the Ten Mile Baptist Church.  He held many positions over the years including Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, fill-in song leader, Children's Church Teacher and Nominating Committee Member.  Pops was known for his prayers, as they were very eloquent and heart felt.  He knew exactly what to pray for any situation.  He prayed many times for people to have "an extra hedge of protection" around them in times of travel.  Pops started his morning routine by praying over each item of a huge list of prayer requests given to him by other people.  Pops read his Bible daily and was very educated in God's Word.  It was common for a preacher to pause his sermon and ask Pops for a name or details of a Biblical story.  If you needed to know where to find anything in God's Word, he could tell you what book of the Bible to find it in.  It was impressive to watch Pops mouth the words of a passage in a sermon without even looking down at his KJV.

Pops graduated high school from Highland Heights.  He had a bachelor's degree in teaching from the University of Kentucky and "bled blue" through and through.  He could give basketball statistics from any year and loved talking about his wildcats.  He also had a Master's Degree in counseling from Eastern Kentucky University.

No matter what occupation Pops held, he always wanted to help people.  Pops has been a teacher, counselor, substitute teacher, and special education aid.  Even when he worked for Pepsi Cola in the 80's, he found ways to serve people.  He has been the Gallatin County Chaplain, a volunteer at Booth Hospital in Florence, was on the Gallatin County School Board, went to the local jails to tell the inmates about Jesus, volunteered at Fairhaven Rescue Mission, wrote and graded tests for Ten Mile Bible School (a ministry for incarcerated individuals), and regularly visited residents at Gallatin Health Care even as his health deteriorated.  While working for the Department of Juvenile Justice as a counselor, Pops received an award from the Governor for his outstanding work.

Funeral services for Mr. Jon Alan Connelly will be conducted 2:00 pm Wednesday, March 18 in the chapel of the Hamilton-Stanley Funeral Home, 14635 Walton-Verona Road, Verona, KY. 41092 with Bro. Edwin Kirkpatrick officiating.  Visitation will also be Wednesday from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm.  Burial will be in the New Bethel Cemetery, Verona, KY.  Those serving as pallbearers are: Willie Rudd, Eddie Tackett, Brian Tackett, Darren Tackett, Loren Tackett, John Sullivan, Jr., Tommy Sullivan, Jim Huffman and John Hall.  Honorary pallbearers are Charles Hall and Davey Sullivan.  Memorial contributions if desired may be directed to the Gallatin County Family Resource and Youth Service Centers.