Wallace Jackson Conner, 92, of Newport, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Embassy in Morehead City.

A memorial service to honor Wallace’s life will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, May 22, at Harlowe United Methodist Church, 4261 NC Highway 101, Newport. Interment will follow at the Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the church. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through his obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website.

Born on Christmas Day in 1933 to the late Lionel and Lura Conner, Wallace was born and reared in the Harlowe community where he was a longtime member of Harlowe United Methodist Church. Following high school, Wallace enrolled in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program at Wake Forest University and proudly served four years in the United States Army.

Wallace will be remembered for the principles that shaped his life. Those values were first instilled in him by his parents, on his Mama’s knee, behind the counter of the family’s country store, and around the dinner table with his Pop.

Driven by determination, vision, and an extraordinary business sense, Wallace founded Conner Home Corporation in 1959 and established its production plant in Newport in 1966. At its height, Conner Home Corporation became the largest employer in Carteret County. What began as a local business soon grew into a nationally recognized leader in the mobile home industry. The business grew to operating more than 160 sales centers across 10 states and employing over 2,000 people. Through his companies, more than 100,000 homes were sold and financed through his own acceptance corporation and savings and loan company.

Known affectionately as the “3D Man,” Wallace led with a management philosophy he described as “Dictate, Delegate, and Disappear,” empowering those around him to make decisions and accomplish their goals with confidence and independence.

After the business closed in 1988, Wallace embraced a new venture with Leader Homes, which he owned and operated until 2003. His entrepreneurial spirit never faded. His many developments throughout Carteret County include Ocean Grove, Dockside Condominiums, The Coves at Newport and Heritage Pointe. Even at the age of 92, Wallace was actively developing a 350-home subdivision, once saying, “I enjoy doing projects and deals, so I don’t consider it work.”

One of his most well-known sayings, “You Run It, Don’t Let It Run You,” became the title of his book and reflected the philosophy by which he lived. He believed deeply in treating people with honesty, fairness, and respect. Among the lessons he often shared were, “Never take advantage of anyone in a negotiation; try your hardest to create wins for everyone at the table,” and “Never make assumptions based on appearances or preconceived ideas.” Wallace genuinely believed in people and treated everyone he encountered with dignity and kindness which was reflected in his belief of “Always treat every person with the utmost respect”.

He also inspired many through his reflections, from his favorite book, “Precious Present” — the reminder that there is nothing more important in life than the moment we are given right now.

Wallace served as the first president of the National Manufactured Home Institute as well as the North Carolina Manufactured Home Institute. From 1981 through 1989, he served on the Board of Trustees at North Carolina State University. He was also inducted into the RV/MH Heritage Foundation Hall of Fame, honoring pioneers who made lasting contributions to the RV and manufactured housing industries.

As a proud member of the Young Presidents' Organization, Wallace was active in this exclusive global leadership network for chief executives and business leaders. Membership was reserved for individuals who, before the age of 45, had become the president, chairman, or chief executive officer of a corporation of significant success. Through the organization’s emphasis on peer networking, educational growth, and the exchange of ideas, Wallace formed many lifelong friendships and enjoyed countless summer trips with his family attending meetings and gatherings through the years.

Traveling was a special love of Wallace’s, whether for business or pleasure, and he especially enjoyed exploring mountain back roads in his motorhome. He loved animals, particularly his pony Dolly; his dogs, Stumpy, Draper, Boo, Bebe, Sampson, Blaze McArthur, Morgan, and Lily; and his cat, Spooky. He enjoyed boating and held a pilot’s license, enjoying the sense of freedom he felt while flying the open skies. Christmas was always Wallace’s favorite holiday. No matter the season, he loved listening to Christmas music and carried the joy of Christmas with him throughout the year.

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 27 years, Carol Wilson Brewer Conner; daughter, Kerry Anne Conner-Briggs and husband Dale of Vass, NC; son, Jay Conner and wife Carol Joy of Newport, NC; step-daughters, Karen “KaCy” Cekovsky of St. Lois, MO and Brette Best of Raleigh, NC; step-sons, Clate Brewer and wife Devon of Raleigh, NC, and Chris Brewer and wife Kara of Chapel Hill, NC; grandchildren, Barrett-Anne Briggs and Emi Bigford and husband Dawson; and step-grandchildren, Brewer Best, Topher Best, Banks Brewer, Blythe Brewer, Caden Brewer, and Lyla Brewer. Also surviving him are Percy Godette, of Newport, NC, who was like a son to him; along with Joni Fulcher, his trusted administrative assistant of 30 years; and Arlene Patten, his caring nurse and devoted caregiver.

In addition to his parents, Wallace was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Gaynelle Simmons Conner; his second wife, Lisa Drake Conner; and his sisters, Kathleen Temple and Florence Tolson.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the incredible nurses at Embassy for their compassion and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Wallace to Harlowe United Methodist Church, 5129 Highway 101, Newport, NC, 28570, Guide Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 3950, San Rafael, CA 94912, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.