CONNALLY, WAYNE WRIGHT (1923~2000) Wayne Wright Connally, legislator and brother to Texas Governor, John B. Connally, Jr., was born March 19, 1923, in Floresville, Wilson County, Texas to John B. and Lela Wright Connally. Growing up in Floresville and San Antonio, Connally spent his early years working on the family ranch. After high school, he attended the University of Texas at Austin before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.
After the war, Connally returned to the ranch before he followed his brother's footsteps into politics. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1964, and won a seat in the State Senate two years later, where he represented Senate District 21 from the 59th through the 62nd Texas Legislatures. Connally was also honored by his peers as "Governor for a Day" in October 1971.
The legacy he left includes creating the first upper-level higher education institution in Laredo in 1970, which was the first step towards establishing Texas A & M International University in 1993.
After leaving the legislature, Connally spent the remainder of his life working on his family ranch, until he moved to Cody, Wyoming to be closer to his children.
While living in Cody, Connally passed away at the age of 77. His body was cremated and his ashes were scattered at his ranch in Floresville. His friends placed a cenotaph, or memorial marker, in the Texas State Cemetery in his honor.
Information taken from obituary, Cody Enterprise, December 27, 2000, and Senate Resolution No. 452 from the 77th Texas Legislature. |
Follow Us