1919
Mr.
2011
Mr. Rex Conley
December 12, 1919 — January 16, 2011
Rex H. Conley, 91, passed away peacefully January 16, 2011 at St. Joseph Medical Center. Rex was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 12, 1919 to Coral and Violet Conley. He attended Francis Willard Grade School and graduated from Paseo High School. While in grade school, Rex's love of sports began when he earned 3 gold medals in track. He continued in sports throughout his years at Paseo lettering in track and basketball.
Rex enlisted in the Navy in 1942, and was stationed at Olathe Naval Air Station for 2 years where he was a member of the Clippers basketball team. His commander, Jack Gardner, who later became the coach of Kansas State University was part of the basketball program, and this team was ranked #2 in the country. They actually played some Big 6 Universities and defeated some of them. After 2 years at Olathe NAS, Rex requested to see some action and was assigned to Task Force 58, which was a convoy of ships heading to the battle of Okinawa. Rex was proud of his service to his country and continued his service by refereeing basketball games for veterans in wheel chairs and serving as Post Commander for VFW Post 846 from 1983-1984. Rex retired at age 70 from a long-term career at the KC Star.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife of 40 years, Joani Conley; sister, Kathleen Blaine; sister, Maxine and her husband Hurley Lewman, brothers Carl Conley and Bob Conley, and brother-in-law Robert Nichols. Rex is survived by sister Geraldine Nichols of Overland Park, KS, sister Colleen and her husband Jim Sauntry of Overland Park, KS, sister Ernestine Crosby of Shawnee, KS, sister Darlene Connely of Shawnee, KS, sister Charlene and her husband Wally Bredemeier of Overland Park, KS, sisters-in-law Betty Conley and Bonnie Conley of Overland Park, KS, many nieces and nephews, his devoted Calico cat, "Callie," and the George and Maggie Lents family, who adopted Rex as their family's "Grandpa".
Visitation will be Friday, January 21, at 11 a.m., at D. W. Newcomer's Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to VFW Post 846, 8804 Grant, Overland Park, KS 66212.
Rex enlisted in the Navy in 1942, and was stationed at Olathe Naval Air Station for 2 years where he was a member of the Clippers basketball team. His commander, Jack Gardner, who later became the coach of Kansas State University was part of the basketball program, and this team was ranked #2 in the country. They actually played some Big 6 Universities and defeated some of them. After 2 years at Olathe NAS, Rex requested to see some action and was assigned to Task Force 58, which was a convoy of ships heading to the battle of Okinawa. Rex was proud of his service to his country and continued his service by refereeing basketball games for veterans in wheel chairs and serving as Post Commander for VFW Post 846 from 1983-1984. Rex retired at age 70 from a long-term career at the KC Star.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife of 40 years, Joani Conley; sister, Kathleen Blaine; sister, Maxine and her husband Hurley Lewman, brothers Carl Conley and Bob Conley, and brother-in-law Robert Nichols. Rex is survived by sister Geraldine Nichols of Overland Park, KS, sister Colleen and her husband Jim Sauntry of Overland Park, KS, sister Ernestine Crosby of Shawnee, KS, sister Darlene Connely of Shawnee, KS, sister Charlene and her husband Wally Bredemeier of Overland Park, KS, sisters-in-law Betty Conley and Bonnie Conley of Overland Park, KS, many nieces and nephews, his devoted Calico cat, "Callie," and the George and Maggie Lents family, who adopted Rex as their family's "Grandpa".
Visitation will be Friday, January 21, at 11 a.m., at D. W. Newcomer's Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to VFW Post 846, 8804 Grant, Overland Park, KS 66212.
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