Philip Michael Conner, 16 years old, passed away Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. He was born on Dec. 10, 2005, to Derek and Kim Norwood Conner in Lake Charles, La.
Philip was a very loved young man who was devoted to serving others with joy. He ministered at his church as an alter server and to his community through loyal friendship. He was naturally talented in many sports, but his love and passion was soccer. Philip also enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing, cooking, and, most of all, spending time and joking around with family and friends.
Philip was shaped by his devotion to his Catholic faith. He expressed in different ways that he knew life was short and should not be taken for granted. Due to that, he strived to be the best man, friend, son, grandson, brother and uncle that he could be. He found personal inspiration through prayer, exercise, and running. He always challenged himself to work hard as was his personal goal to “push [him]self to the absolute fullest” and “find love in discomfort”. He served others as an example that this life is about devotion to the Lord in preparation for our service in the next life. He once wrote: “All you have to do is act as a child of God. Do nice things, pray, just become that child of God you were born to be”.
Those left to cherish his memory are his parents; his sister, Whitney Conner Van Norman, her husband Kade, and their children Rosalie, Conner (Philip’s godchild), and his soon-to-be niece or nephew; his brother, Owen Conner and wife Mia McElveen Conner; his maternal grandparents Earl and Carol Norwood; and many aunts, uncles, cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Hewitt and Bradley Conner and his godfather, David Conner.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Msgr. Daniel Torres will serve as celebrant. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be in the St. Louis High School Pavillion, located at the corner of Kirkman and 9th streets, on Friday evening from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume Saturday morning at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel, 4321 Lake Street, from 9 a.m. until the procession to the church at 10 a.m.
In honor of Philip’s particular devotion to the Sacrament of Penance, confessions will be heard beginning at 9:45 a.m. at the Cathedral before the service.
The family would like to give special thanks to each and every person that has contributed through the outpouring of love, support, prayers and donations with special gratitude to St. Louis Catholic High School Community, the Diocese of Lake Charles, Coaches Oertling and Pousson along with his teammates and their families. We are forever grateful to know that Philip was surrounded by so much love in his life.
Memorial donations may be made to the Vianney House for Vocations 206 Aqua Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70605.