CONNER L. CAGLE SR.
1941-2008

Conner Lee Cagle Sr., 67, a beloved Pensacola-area entrepreneur, musician and entertainer, passed away Thursday, July 24, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer.

Cagle was born in Baton Rouge, La., on June 10, 1941. His family moved to Pensacola in 1942, and Cagle grew up in his family's restaurants that included The Coffee Cup, Cagle's and The Skillet.

Cagle graduated from Pensacola High School and was an outstanding golfer who decided to pursue his passion for music. He excelled as a singer and piano player, making appearances on the Dick Clark Show and The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson. Cagle toured with such groups as the Four Tops and the Spinners and was a regular performer at the King's Inn.

Cagle's first business venture was a restaurant/bar called Joelynn's. He later opened the popular Pensacola Beach bumper boats.

In the early 1980's, Cagle moved his family to Navarre, where he opened several businesses including The Comfort Inn, Conner Cagle's Pizza Palace and Ward's Hamburgers. He was President of the Navarre Sports Association, coached numerous youth baseball teams and was an active and driving force behind the development of Navarre.

In 1992, Cagle and his family returned to Pensacola. He owned several bars and restaurants over the years, including Barristers, BJ Duckwater's, Margaritaville, Chan's, Big Daddy's, Coyotes, and most recently the Olive Drop on Pensacola Beach.

Cagle had an infectious smile, and he loved to make people laugh. He was happiest when those around him were having a good time. He battled lymphoma and a host of other physical ailments, but he continued to entertain everyone around him. He never gave up his zest for life and remained upbeat and optimistic until the very end.

Cagle was preceded in death by his parents, Ruby and Wade Cagle Sr., and his brother, Wade Cagle Jr.

Cagle leaves behind four sons: Conner Cagle Jr. (wife Kellee), Cody Cagle, Sam Crockett (daughter Lauren), and Steve Crockett; brother Frank Cagle; Linda Cagle; several nieces and nephews, and a lifetime's worth of friends and memories.

Funeral services were Monday at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel with Rev. John Franklin officiating. Entombment followed at Bayview Memorial Park. Active pallbearers were Todd Hofstetter; Ricky Ray; Tim Adams; Craig Beverly; David Owens; David Tex Saunders and George Barberi.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society at 5401 Corporate Wood Drive, Pensacola, 32504, in hopes that someday a cure can be found for this terrible disease.

Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel handled arrangements.