James Franklin Conley

James Franklin Conley, 89, of Charlottesville, Virginia passed away peacefully on November 4, 2021. Jim was born on December 28, 1931, in Logan Store Township, Rutherford County, North Carolina to the late Thaddaeus and Mallie Conley. He met the love of his life, Ellen Marie Reedy, while attending Berea College. Upon graduation, they married and Jim continued his studies in Geology earning a M.S. degree from Ohio State University and a Ph.D. from University of South Carolina. Jim moved the family to Charlottesville in 1964 to take a job as a field mapping geologist with the Virginia Department of Mines and Mineral Resources. He retired from the Department in 1995 as Deputy Chief and spent the ensuing years pursuing and enjoying his many hobbies. Jim has been called a “Renaissance Man” by close friends for the breadth and depth of his many interests. He especially enjoyed doing Concours restorations on his collection of British sports cars, making reproductions of early American Furniture, and teaching a course in Structural Geology at the University of Virginia. Jim was an active member of the Shenandoah Valley British Car Club and the Antique Car Club of America. He and Ellen enjoyed many European trips with fellow British car enthusiasts. Jim was also an active member of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers (SAPFM). He and Ellen attended many conferences at Colonial Williamsburg, SAPFM Mid-year Conferences and local SAPFM Chapter Meetings. He was also invited to demonstrate period construction techniques at his local Chapter and many other Chapters. Jim and Ellen made many lifelong friendships through their love of both classic cars and period furniture. Jim is survived by his wife Ellen Conley, sons Frank Conley and spouse Kate Nesbitt of Charlottesville, John Conley of Charlottesville, David Conley and spouse LuAnne Conley and grandson, Christopher Conley of Russell, Kentucky. The family will receive friends and family at Teague Funeral home from 5:30pm – 7:30pm on Monday November, 15 2021. A graveside memorial service will be held at Holly Memorial Gardens at 2:00pm on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Grateful thanks for the heartfelt care and love Jim received from the employees of The Laurels of Charlottesville during his stay. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to consider making a memorial contribution in Jim’s honor to Berea College, CPO 2216, Berea KY 40404 or online at Berea.edu/give.