Msgt. Paul E. McConnell, age 90, of Rutherfordton, NC, died Wednesday, August 22, 2018, at his home in Rutherfordton, NC. He was a native of Rock Stream, NY and the son of the late Edric Thomas McConnell and the late Cleo Pauline Hurd McConnell. He was a US Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War. Paul left home at the age of 15 to go live with family friends. He enlisted in the Navy in 1945 when he was old enough to join the military. He was the store clerk on the heavy cruiser the USS Des Moines (CA-134) just prior to switching branches to join the Air Force, where he served most of his military career, retiring in 1969. He served with distinction earning several good conduct commendations and other numerous medals. By far, the highlight of his Air Force career was being hand selected to participate in the U2 spy plane program, from it's infancy, and was first stationed at Area 51. He was, for a time, assigned to the flight crew of Francis Gary Powers, who was later shot down while flying a reconnaissance mission over USSR air space. Before retiring from the Air Force, he completed one tour in Vietnam, stationed in Danang, as a Flight Crew Chief for the famed F-4 Phantom. Upon retiring from the military, he worked as a government contractor with Northrup stationed for a year in Danang. He later worked for Ford Motor Company in Atlanta, GA and held other odd jobs in Houston, TX and Los Angeles, CA before permanently retiring to Winter Park, FL. He moved to Rutherfordton, NC to live with his daughter in 2014. Paul's military career afforded him the opportunity to visit every continent and countless countries throughout the world, and he had visited every US State. Paul's hobbies were collecting, restoring and re-selling antiques and completing crossword puzzles. He was preceded in death by three brothers; Max F. McConnell, Earl H. McConnell and John H. McConnell. He is survived by: One Daughter: Sheri Peeples of Rutherfordton, NC One Son: Michael McConnell and his wife Laura of Forsyth, GA One Sister: Fran Skeens and her husband Joe of Sarasota, FL Three Grandchildren: Tiffany Casey and husband David , Ami Jenkins and husband Tom amd Jeremiah Peeples Six Great-Grandchildren One nephew Adam Horak of Merritt Island, FL The family will conduct a memorial service on their own at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills at P.O. Box 336 Forest City, NC 28043. Online guest register at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com. McMahan's Funeral Home & Cremation Services in charge of the arrangements.