John Thomas Conard

John T. Conard, 73, was born August 4, 1948 in Houston, Texas to Bill and Marg Conard. The family moved to Fort Worth where John was raised and remained during his entire life. John attended Morningside Elementary School, Morningside Junior High, Wedgwood Junior High and graduated from Paschal High School in 1966. He furthered his education at TCU, Fort Worth Christian College and graduated from Texas Wesleyan College in 1973 with a Bachelor’s degree in education. John met Tracey Kirk as a youth member at Rosemont Church of Christ, and John and Tracey were married in August 1973. Two days later he became an art teacher at Stripling Middle School where he spent his entire teaching career, retiring after 34 years in 2007. According to a former Principal at Stripling, “John was a huge part of what made the culture of Stripling so warm and inviting.”

With his humor and warm personality, John never met a stranger. He collected friends of all ages, including colleagues, students and even the children of former students. He made his friends feel special by giving unique nicknames to them. Along with collecting friends, he had an extensive collection of knives and firearms. John enjoyed dove hunting, fishing, shooting at the range and painting wildlife, still life and abstract pieces for his home and the homes of friends. He also enjoyed visiting his father’s relatives in Kansas and his mother’s relatives in Houston, always bound to get into mischief with his cousins on both sides of the family. John was an avid sports enthusiast and he enjoyed watching football and baseball. He loved those Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys. His childhood favorites included the Milwaukee Braves, Hank Aaron and Ted Williams. As an adult he counted Nolan Ryan as a favorite player. John was able to recite batting averages and ERAs of many players.

John and his family were active members of Worth Heights, Rosemont and Alta Mesa Churches of Christ. John and his wife Tracey enjoyed being members of the chorus at Rosemont and were also active there with the youth of the Church.

John was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Marg Conard and younger sister Barbara Conard. He is survived by his loving wife Tracey Kirk Conard, son Kirk Conard and his wife Wendy of Charlottesville, Virginia, and grandson Dylan, as well as cousins and too many close friends to count.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions be made to one of the charities below in honor of John.