Gerald (Jerry) Clark Conley passed away Wednesday August 29, 2018 in Riverton, UT. Cynthia (Cindy) Conley, his wife of 47 years was at his bedside. Jerry had struggled with health problems and had recently undergone surgery. They were having a great conversation about the future when he passed away suddenly.
He is survived by his wife Cindy, his children; Jared, Jennifer, Jeffrey, Janae, and Jonathan their spouses, his 22 grandchildren, and his brother, Pierre Jacque Conley. He was preceded in death by his mother Margaret Elizabeth Conley, his father Orland Muscoe Conley, his sister Sandy, and his brothers Larry and Randy.
Jerry was born on June 27, 1947 in Huntington West Virginia. He was a self-proclaimed hillbilly who grew up in and loved the hills of West Virginia and Ohio. At the age of fourteen, Jerry joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This decision changed his life—he met Cindy (and knew she was the girl for him) at church. The two were married while attending Brigham Young University together on June 29, 1971 in the Salt Lake Temple. Jerry graduated from BYU with a Bachelor's degree in history and a Master's in Public Administration. His service in the United States Army and his positions in different city, county, and state governments would take him and Cindy to Germany, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Utah and California.
Jerry's two greatest passions in life were his family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. These two were followed by his love of sports, especially baseball and the Yankees. He was passionate about golf and played it as much as he possibly could. He also enjoyed history, books, languages and philosophy. He was well read and enjoyed talking about various subjects with his children and grandchildren. He often found ways to weave the gospel into these discussions.
Jerry loved his Savior Jesus Christ and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He dedicated many years serving. When asked if he ever tired of it his response was no, never. Once obtained he never wavered in his testimony of the reality and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. A couple of months before he died he told his sons that he wanted them to know that he was a man of faith. That he knew that God was his Father and that Christ was his Savior.
Jerry was a man devoted to his family. His children never doubted his love and adoration for their mother nor his love for them. His presence and support in their lives was simply there. Always. In 1994 he anxiously paced back and forth on the top row of the high school football stadium where he was watching his son play. He couldn't sit down and he was clearly more nervous than his son but he wouldn't trade the experience for anything. It didn't matter what was going on in the world—he always made the effort to support his children. Scenes similar to this occurred many times over several years. He watched his five children and 22 grandchildren in various activities including church talks, graduations, plays, music performances and sports. He always said that he wouldn't be anywhere else. This passion and support even led to him becoming "grandpa" to his granddaughter's basketball team.
These scenes epitomized who he was—a man who would strive to be there for his family no matter what. A man who derived the greatest joy in life by being with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
We are grateful and honored to be his wife, sons, daughters and grandchildren. We love you and will miss you!
Services honoring the life of Jerry will be held Tuesday September 4, 2018 at the Garden Park 4th ward chapel located at 11677 Grandville Avenue, South Jordan, Utah. Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. with a Viewing at 9:45 a.m.
