In memoriam of Judge Levis Aldine “Buster” McConnell, Jr.

A titan, a cornerstone in Houston County’s community, Levis Aldine “Buster” McConnell, Jr. passed away on Monday, November 15, 2021. Family and friends of the former judge gathered on November 19 in remembrance of their loved one, and shortly after a service and burial was held, put McConnell to his final rest at Magnolia Park Mausoleum.

McConnell was respected and loved across the county as a long time resident and leader. He graduated from Warner Robins High School where he played football and eventually went on to be accepted into the University of Georgia, where he found brotherhood in the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He graduated from UGA in 1965, and forged on to UGA Law School, where he became a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. He completed his degree in 1969 and became a member of the Georgia Bar Association only a year later.

Returning home, McConnell practiced law privately until he was elected the County State Court Judge in 1984. Later, he was appointed Houston County Superior Court Judge in 1986. McConnell retired from the position in 1995 and went on to work as the Senior Court Judge serving counties across the state.

Outside of his professional career, McConnell was an avid member of Houston County’s community, serving as a part of the Noon Optimist Club, the president of the Civilian Section of the Air Force Association, and president of the Warner Robins High School Touch Down Club. He was recognized by several committees and boards; named Outstanding Young Man by the Warner Robins Jaycees and Outstanding Citizen of the Year for Service by the Warner Robins Board of Realtors. McConnell even went so far as to influence our community’s future, coaching Little League Baseball, Warner Robins Rec Football, and Warner Robins Rec Basketball.

McConnell is survived by a loving family, including his wife Judy Dean McConnell, his two sons L.A. ”Al” McConnell III and Holmes Wade McConnell, a stepdaughter, Dawn Thexton, grandchildren Hayden McConnell, Matthew McConnell, Kayla McConnell, Ian McConnell, Ariel Dolinar, Jeremiah Thexton, Jaron Thexton, Jaedon Thexton, and great grandchildren Daphne Dolinar and Jack Dolinar.

Houston County Commissioner Tommy Stalnaker commented on the judge’s passing, “We lost an outstanding judge and a good friend,” Stalnaker said, “Someone who had spent his life basically in Houston County. He will be missed by many. He’s been retired for several years now, but he was an outstanding athlete back in high school.” Stalnaker described fond memories of his time in high school, remembering McConnell as an outstanding athlete. “He was always somebody good on the bench,” Stalnaker added, speaking on McConnell’s time as a judge, “trying to do the right thing as judgment was being passed.”

Houston County Sheriff Cullen Talton described McConnell as one of his “real good friends,” commenting on his successful tenure as an athlete in high school and professionally as a judge. “He was always friendly, always treating people nice. He was very personable, and if he saw someone he knew on the jury he might just say, “Hey, I remember you’ or something like that. He was fun to be around. He was a good person, and we’re going to miss him.”

A husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, judge, coach and community leader, Levis Aldine “Buster” McConnell will not soon be forgotten by Houston County, and the effects of his work will reverberate in the actions of those who come after him for decades and centuries to come.

HHJ News