Thomas Herbert Conley

The Rev. Canon Thomas H. Conley, Th.M., age 79, died on August 25,2016 following complications from a stroke. Tom was born in Jacksonville, FL, January 24, 1937 to Thomas H Conley and Mary Thigpen Conley. He grew up living between Jacksonville, FL and Waycross, GA. He graduated from Furman University with majors in English and History. He was married to Betty Bishop in the Summerville Baptist Church on August 16, 1959. Tom completed his Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He served as a Baptist minister in Kentucky, Maryland, and Atlanta until 1991. In 1991, he left the Baptist church and was confirmed as an Episcopalian at the Cathedral of St. Philip. Tom entered the process for priesthood and served at Holy Comforter, Holy Cross, and St. Bede's Episcopal Churches before his ordination to the Diaconate, and then the Priesthood in 1995. That year he was called to be the Canon Pastor of the Cathedral of St. Philip by the Dean, The Very Rev. Sam Candler. As Canon Pastor, Tom had as many as 30 ministries under his aegis at one time. In 2000, Tom and Dr. T. Albert Davis, a respected psychiatrist in Atlanta, founded "The Florence McDonnell Cathedral Counseling and Spiritual Life Center." Tom devoted himself to his practice of psychotherapy and spiritual direction, fundraising and his Executive Director positions. In 2010, The center was renamed "The Thomas H. Conley Center for Care, Counseling and Psychotherapy." The Center closed in 2014 and Tom started a solo psychotherapy practice. Before his death he was asked by Emory University to consider sharing his papers, books, sermons, and other creative writings, including his book of poetry, The Common Cup. He had taken stands from 1976-2014 in many of the major issues of the day: race, women's rights, truths found in all religions, homosexuality and transgender issues, the AIDS crisis, teaching a progressive theology, among other issues and causes. Tom's motto was that "we are put here to make a difference." A true Renaissance man, Tom lived life to the fullest and was very athletic. He enjoyed racquetball, handball, barefoot water skiing, his Harley Davidson motorcycle, and gardening. His greatest love in life was his family. Sunday lunches with family were a great joy where birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations were cherished. Laughter, storytelling, and intimacy with family was where he drew his strength. Tom's legacy of love and service will live on in his family and the countless lives he touched. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth "Betty" Conley, 2 sons, Scott (Julie) Conley, Sean (Marla) Conley, and 4 grandchildren, Justin (Christy) Conley, Ansley Conley, Sean Conley, Jr. and Candice Lewis. A memorial service will be held at The Cathedral of St. Philip Atlanta on Friday, September 2, 2016 at 2:00 pm. Interment will follow the service in the St. Philip's Memorial Gardens. Family will receive visitors from 1:00 - 2:00 in the Gould Room at the Cathedral.