MCCONNELL, John Robert

Published by the Miner on Jan. 30, 2026 - Kingman, Arizona - John Robert McConnell was 70 when he passed suddenly 1/15/26 on his property in Mohave County, Arizona. Although he's gone far earlier than expected, his life was long and full of things some others only dream about. Wonderful things like a large family, a multitude of friends, a successful business spanning many decades, and a deep love for music. Adventurous things like building race cars, once being on the pit crew for actor/driver James Garner, also crewing for Steve McEachern's pro off road racing outfit as well as helping countless friends teams, his ability to drive a race car on a National level and more locally with SCCA, ASRA, and ProAutoSports, often competing with younger brother Tom, nephew Andy, and the regular support of family. He was also very involved in hockey, baseball, off-road Adventure Motorcycle and ATV groups. His collection of very close friends grew from these varied activities since a very young man. He started Allied Automotive Specialists from scratch with a few family investors, and with the help of a talented mechanic he grew it into a family of Phoenix area residents and car culture people who wanted honesty, respect, professionalism, and a good laugh. He was always ready for a joke and sharing it with anyone in close proximity. John is survived by wife Kelsey, son Karik, sister Lee, brothers David and Tom, sister-in-law Kathy, cousins Susan, Ann and Jim, nephews Brandon, Andy and Carl, their wives Stephanie, Barb and Allison, niece Amy, great nephew Ollie, and great nieces Addie, Sarah, Lucy, Quinn, Lilly and Grace plus a large extended family going back into the late ‘70s. Goodbye John. You are cherished and will be missed by so many.