On February 17, 2009 our 12 year-old son Connor Lee Deal, died in Children's Medical Center, Dallas, TX. He was much loved and will be missed every single day. Connor was a humble, but gifted singer and artist, with a crack wit that was known to only his closest friends and family. His funeral displayed his artistic abilities (both art and music) and reflected his passion for worship. We are honored to share videos from his funeral with you here. To learn more about how he died, visit his CaringBridge site here.
Click each link and then "Open" if prompted. The Deal family welcomes your comments below and on YouTube.
Connor's last public "performance" at his 5th grade talent show, Sleepy Hollow Elementary, May, 2008 (age 11). Watch (home video)
We are, also, making available the comments shared by Kent McAllister (Connor's uncle) at the grave side service. Nan and I found great comfort in his words and asked him to share them with others. He wrote this just hours after hearing that Connor had died.
#51: by Mark & Marylou Driver on 03.04.2009 @ 07:09am CST
The Deal family,
We heard about Connor going to meet his Heavenly Father & Savior today from our friend Gary & Lois Sprague. We know that GOD will give you comfort, peace, and strength like you never had before because HE has done this for us. Rest in the arms of JESUS, please !!! We LOVE yall.
Mark & Marylou
Phoenixville, PA
#52: by Tiana McEachern on 03.04.2009 @ 09:20am CST
Oops, fingers were moving too fast :)
Deal Family,
I only subscribed to your newsletter weeks ago. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of grief. May knowing that you will see your son in Eternity comfort you.
God Bless
Tiana McEachern
Clancy, MT
#53: by Rosemary Arce on 03.04.2009 @ 02:27pm CST
Dear Ron and Nan,
I just wanted to say I was so saddened to hear about the loss of your precious son, Connor. It brought tears to my eyes, I didn't even know him but the loss of your young son stuct me so deep. I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers. May the Love of Jesus carry you through this difficult time.
Rosemary
#54: by Daniel Wilson on 03.04.2009 @ 04:04pm CST
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 04, 2009 03:53 PM, CST
I cannot imagine such a loss and yet I too know our God is Great and Bigger in Heart than we here will ever be. We will lift you up during this time of grief knowing that the God of all comfort will comfort you with the peace which transcends our human understanding.
Daniel and Joy Wilson
Daniel Wilson wilson@sccapital.org
Mount Juliet, TN
#55: by John and Rosemarie Pesci on 03.04.2009 @ 09:13pm CST
Dear Ron, Nan and sons,
I can't express the words to say how sorry we are for your loss. You do not remember us but we came to a seminar you had in Brooklyn for step families. Your wisdom and insight has saved us many years of turmoil. We took your advice on the crock pot not the blender and have a healthy step family of a ten year old girl, a fourteen year old boy and two twelve year old boys. So you see I could imagine the loss that you feel with Connor, but please realize your love for people has helped our family immensely and the two 12 year old step brothers are best buds. We will pray for you often but want to say thank you for being the inspiration you are. I know this will not take away the pain but please know God has used you and you have brought much joy to our family. Now Connor is with God and he will take good care of him. May God heal all your wounds.
#56: by CATHY on 03.04.2009 @ 09:59pm CST
Dear Pilgrims:
My son, took ill in what sounds a similar manner 2 weeks after 9-11 in New York.
We spent 40 days and 40 nights at our local hospital here in Michigan as the Lord ministered to many as well as ourselves. God allowed Dave to be with us for these past 7 years and Grace took him home Oct. 30, 2008 in Minnesota.
We so miss him but know we are NOT without hope. Hearts ache for you as your Connor was taken home what seems sooner than we all would choose or ever desire.
Hold onto your faith and grieve knowing God will meet you in every moment every day. Great book from Focus on the Family "A grace disguised" by Gary Sitzser.
yes, we will rise on Eagles wings!
The best is yet to come for those who believe in Jesus-for precious Conner-the Best has Come!!! Amen and Amen!
xoxoxooxxoxoxooxooxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
From your fellow Pilgrims heading to that Golden Shore - the Celestial City.
Cool that Conner liked Star Wars...
He was taken up to heaven. Praise God He's Free at last!!!
#57: by Craig and Gina Morgan on 03.05.2009 @ 10:23am CST
Ron
Gina and I came to your seminar in Houston in January. I was going through your website thinking of you and our situation, and then read about Connor.
I don't know what to say other than we are very sorry. Your faith, and the tribute you made of your son is a powerful testimony to your love and faith in Jesus.
May He comfort you and your family now and in the days ahead.
Our love to you and yours,
Craig and Gina Morgan
#58: by The White Family on 03.05.2009 @ 06:54pm CST
Ron,Nan and Family, Thanks for sharing Connor with us and so many around the world. He was such a shining light for the Lord and sang like an angel. Are prayers are with all of you. Many Blessings. Your Amarillo South Family
#59: by Barbara Reilly on 03.06.2009 @ 08:29am CST
Dear Ron, Nan, and boys,
My family will be praying for you in your time of loss. What a beautiful boy inside and out! How precious he is in the sight of God. It never feels right when a child preceeds his parents in death. How glorious for Connor to be in the presence of God and be laughing on the side of glory. Thank you for ministering to all of us by sharing the sweet moments with Connor right up to his final breath. It really speaks to the heart about the love God wants us to receive from Him, shower into the lives around us, family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, believers and unbelievers alike until he comes again. I pray you let your light for Jesus shine ever brighter because of Him and the sweet Cherub he gifted you with and because the other two precious gifts that remain with you! May God truly be reflected in the days and months and years ahead. In Him.
#60: by Shirley McCann on 03.06.2009 @ 01:26pm CST
I can only imagine the pain of losing a child. My thoughts and prayers have been with your family since I first heard of Connor's death. Your faith in our Lord will get your through this difficult time. Peace and comfort be with you.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your precious son. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Luana Fortner
Atlanta, GA
#62: by Ivey Beckman on 03.10.2009 @ 12:21pm CDT
Ron & Family,
I've watched the videos of Connor. What an amazing boy! You must be so proud even in the depths of sorrow so deep. Do know that tears are still being shed and prayers are still being shared for you. I recently read that angels learn a lot about God from us. I'm guessing Connor has quite an audience of angels surrounding him now. The wisdom of children is ever amazing.
Prayers and blessings. Ivey
#63: by Kalon on 03.11.2009 @ 08:35am CDT
Dear Family,
I was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your precious little angel, Connor. It has brought tears to my eyes many times and an ache in my heart. My son Logan played ball with Connor one season and went to school with him this year at Bonham. Words can not express how sorry I am for your loss. You guys will continue to be in my prayers and in my heart. May god carry you through every waking moment, and mend your broken hearts. Continue steadfast in your lord!!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful boy with us. With much love...
#64: by Rosella Gadison on 03.12.2009 @ 05:38pm CDT
Dear Ron,Nan, Braden and Brennan,
I have been following the story about Connor and was so confused when Laura sent me that email that he was not with us anymore. I have said prayers and thought about all of you and how you would be feeling at such a great loss. But then I remembered that our Father in heaven loved us so much that He gave Jesus to suffer and die for all of our sins. Then, I was sure that Connor not being with us is hard and confusing. It raises the question-Why? Just as I don't understand the way God loves us so much that he gave His Son, Jesus to die on a cross-a Son that was innocent, who had no sins of His own. But with the promise of our salvation and because He died, we will reign with Him forever in eternity. Imagine!! You all will see Connor forever because our Lord died. Though Connor is not with us now, his spirit and face will not know an end!! I hope that you are comforted with knowing that you are not forsaken or forgotten. I will keep praying for your strength.
I don't know you. I am a Christian psychologist and marriage/family therapist in the Dallas area. I'm also a stepmom graced by God to be raising a daughter and a stepdaughter and stepson--all teens. My husband and I received your excellent book, The Smart Stepfamily, as a wedding gift, which we read and have benefitted from.
I learned of your precious son Connor's recent death as I was researching some resources for a missionary friend whose stepfamily is in crisis. I was stunned to read of your crisis and loss, but blessed by your testimony that you choose to trust God and not question His goodness despite unanswered questions and much pain. Whatever the reasons for Connor's death, the enemy of our souls and the prince of death has been dealt a severe blow by your tenacious faith, and the name of Jesus has been glorified. I also believe God will greatly increase the fruitfulness of your ministry as you are currently receiving comfort and strength to become "Comforters with Credentials" (a borrowed phrase from a dear friend who also tragically lost a young son in a school bus accident). You are living examples of the truth of Jn.12:24 and Connor has shown us all the truth of Phil.1:20,21.
May the God of all comfort wrap you up in His arms and sing His songs of love and peace over your family. Know that He is well-pleased with you and honored by your faithfulness. You are in my prayers.
I occurred to me just now that it's been a month since Connor died. I just wanted to let you know that you are still in my thoughts and prayers.
Len
#67: by Sharon (Bischof) Rohde and Family on 03.23.2009 @ 12:23am CDT
Ron, Nan, and boys -
We still pray for you...in this new age of technology Connor was able to touch so many people...people who knew his parents when they were younger (; but never had the opportunity to meet him or his brothers...and yet we feel we know him, we grieve for you in your loss and hope that when we cry it somehow lessens your pain if but for a moment. You are strong and you are blessed. Cherish the tears and the squeezing of your hands...my father passed away Jan. 2, 2008, from COPD, and pneumonia...he was taken off the ventilator so that he could take his last breaths on his own. Before he passed my daughter started to sob and laid her head on his chest...the nurses had told us it was just a matter of time of his body shutting down, but that his mind was not there anymore...but they were wrong...as my daughter sobbed for her grandpa, he turned his head to her direction and smiled ever so slightly with a tear down his cheek...that's a special gift...it's a...until we see eachother again. Thank you for sharing Connor and your family with us - his singing is beautiful...and now with technology (; he can continue to touch others. God Bless you all. Sharon, Steve, Robbi, Katherine, Nicholas and Nathan
#68: by Jill Schuller Kinnett on 04.02.2009 @ 06:07am CDT
I attended a Ron Deal conference in November - i don't personally know Ron or Nan, but their ministry and their love for GOD has inspired and empowered me and my family. When I just found out about this loss I could not believe it. Your faith and your trust in GOD even when the answers to 'Why' make no sense are a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit in you. I pray for your peace now and in the days ahead, for your family to remember your son always, and for your grief to turn to gratitude a little more each day. May GOD reveal His peace.
#69: by Pastor Ed & Wendy Diaz on 04.06.2009 @ 06:51pm CDT
Dear Ron and Nan,
Words cannot express the "Why's" of life. We can only pray and trust that our Lord will be glorified in this. I hear that Jesus does not waste a HURT OR A DARK DAY for the christian. Our hearts go out to you and the children. It is said that:
Ps 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Be of good cheer that Connor is kicking up gold dust as we email each other. He is also part of the great cloud of witnesses cheering you on for the reunion of your family. We love you guys in helping us out, so we will pray you through, until His will is shown unto you and your family.
2Co 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Nu 6:24-26 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Love Always,
Pastor Ed & Wendy
From Rochester, NY (Maryland conference)
#70: by Angie Gaeth on 04.08.2009 @ 07:00pm CDT
Your son was a gift; thank you for sharing him with us, even during your grief. He is definately singing in God's choirs.
Ron, your newsletters have helped me tremendously and I pray that you will receive that same support from your friends, family & followers. God Bless you all in this time of need.
#71: by Cindi Holt on 04.26.2009 @ 07:32pm CDT
I read the tributes to Connor and want to tell you that your family is in my thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you, as only he can. May his love wrap around you and may you feel that love daily. You will hold Connor again and see him one day in Heaven.
In Christ,
Cindi
#72: by Brenda Chaloupka on 08.07.2009 @ 05:58pm CDT
I was looking for some resources for my daughter and her precious family today. I came across your website and found myself reading of Connor's life on earth and recent death and it struck me as if it happened just today. I know that wherever you are in your healing, your faith and trust in the Lord continues to bless you, Ron, Nan, Braden and Brennan. Connor and all of God's beloved children will be cared for at His throne throughout eternity. May God bless you and your family.
Blessings,
Brenda
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Could you help me. The better part of valor is discretion, in the which better part I have saved my life.
I am from Scotland and now teach English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Razor scooter drive belt: ducati elettronica chose ducati energia spa in the scooters."
With best wishes 8-), Brian.
#77: by Teresa Mazak on 09.24.2009 @ 08:14pm CDT
I just watched Connnor's Videos and read the Grave side service. Wow, You have a great family. A few months have gone by and I wanted to let you know that we have not forgotten you.
God Bless,
Teresa
#78: by Debra Norman on 01.01.2010 @ 11:13am CST
Dear Deal Family;
It is only through losing that we gain. When I read these remarkable comments to you from others who love you; I am reminded that broken-heartedness over the loss of your son is what God will use in your ministry with others. I have lost many times in my life special people, and God has honoured His promises to be close to me, to carry me through, and as I have trusted Him, He has granted me such GRACE as I could never imagine. My prayer for you is that He will use your pain for good, and that 2010 will be a year for healing and that you will experience His grace as you never have before. Here's to victory for each one of you! Thanks for your wonderful ministry to Stepfamilies, and keep up the good work! Sincerely, Debra Norman
#79: by Diana Maxey on 02.06.2010 @ 05:42pm CST
Dear Deal Family,
I was surfing the net to find resources on remarriage when I found your website. I've been divorced for around 2 years, am still single, and want to be prepared for the Christian man I believe God has for me. Being a mother of two, my heart grieves for your loss. Even though we've never met, I will keep your family in my prayers. May God grant you peace.
#80: by Troy Smith on 03.03.2010 @ 09:51am CST
Dear Deal Family,We just finished your Smart Step Family DVD Study in our Church. It has been such a wonderful gift to those who were there. It encouraged us so much. We are all so Broken In this world and your teaching gave us such hope!! That is from God!!I did not know of your loss. Thank you for sharing your precious gift of Conner with us. I watched and cried as I was feeling your loss. It was amazing to me how it moved me reminding me of my loss in My divorce. The breaking of a family is not easy to get over. Your Family is very special to me and your love and compassion has touched so many!! I pray that in this time you all grieve that God brings you what you need to heal.Thanks for having beautiful Hearts!!Troy SmithRockton, PA
#81: by Marie Gannon on 03.09.2010 @ 01:38pm CST
May God Bless the entire Deal family and friends. Words can't describe the sympathy in my heart for you. Christ's love is overflowing in my heart for you. May you find comfort in Christ's love.
#82: by Anton and Rosalind Mayfield on 03.21.2010 @ 06:06pm CDT
Mr. Deal,
You truly blessed us while you were here in Nashville, TN. Thank you so much for sharing memories of your Connor especially his artistic side because it reminded us so much of our little Connor who is 7 years old. God bless you and your family.
Your brother and sister in Christ,
Anton and Rosalind Mayfield
#83: by Michele Stewart on 04.11.2010 @ 05:45pm CDT
I just happened to find this story and just do not know what to say other than I am so so sorry for your loss. I am praying for you and your family as you continue to miss Connor and grieve for his loss. Praise the Lord he loved God.
Michele
Ron,
I shared quickly with you today at the couple's conference my thanks for your marriage ministry...that you continue to bless others with your wisdom on marriage in the midst of losing your son Connor just 14 months ago. My heart breaks for you and your wife and sons. I am so sorry for your loss - Connor's video is precious, as was he. Thank you for still sharing as you continue to grieve your precious son.
