Mary K & O.J. Connell, Jr.

O.J., Jr. and Mary K Connell were there at the beginning of the Butler Foundation. Charter members, O.J. was President of the Endowment Association from 1967-1968. and the Connell’s established three scholarships at the Presidential Level ($30,000) to provide opportunities to Butler students. O.J. operated a law office in El Dorado, that his sons Tim and Ray still run and practice at today. He was one of the founders of BG Products. A lifelong Butler County resident, O.J. came from a family who could not afford a four-year university, Butler Community College was his only choice of higher education following high school. Since 1967, O.J and Mary K have given more than $650,000 to ButlerThe O.J. & Mary K Connell Presidential Scholarship for Agriculture was a 55th wedding anniversary gift established by their children in their honor. The Clara R. Connell Presidential Nursing Scholarship was established in memory of O.J.’s mother.The Connell’s are truly the “first family” of Butler, with their involvement spanning generations.