He was the first child of Ernest K. and Regina Ann Conley of McKeesport, PA. At the age of 19, Jim was facing increasing college tuition, he joined the U.S. Army, proudly serving for 24 years, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. While in Office Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA, he met and married Marion, his loving and devoted wife of more than 60 years. His tours of duty carried their young family across the U.S. and overseas, including Japan and Germany. Jim was assigned to the 173rd Airborne, being one of the first American troop units assigned to the defense of South Vietnam. He was assigned to Fort Knox, KY so many times that the children thought of Fort Knox as their home. Jim completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees while serving, earning his BS form the University of Nebraska at Omaha and his MS form the University of Oklahoma. His final tour of duty was as the Professor of Military Science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Deciding to remain in Chattanooga, he began his second career as a teacher with the Hamilton County Department of Education as Head of the ROTC Department, where he served in two different schools. While at Central High School, he was named the first ever Coach of the Year in District II-AA Soccer. In the late 1980’s, Jim joined the financial world, working for J.C. Bradford and Merrill-Lynch, retiring in 2002.
Jim was buoyed by his faith in God and his relationship with the member of St. John United Methodist Church. He was active in the church activities, serving on several committees, renovating and building the new facilities as well as cleaning and waxing the floors.
Jim lived the rest of his life traveling with Marion and spending long days on the lake with his children and grandchildren. He loved his grandchildren, making sure he was around for them, from their first breath and going to many school and sporting events. They were the light of his life until Alzheimer’s disease took control of his life in 2015. Jim had many wonderful and devoted care givers at American House for the last three years of his life. For that, the family will always be grateful.
Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Marion; daughter, Suzanne M. (Jim) Rogers and Lisa M. (Scott) Dieter; son, James E. (Bobbie) Mossburg, Jr.; 6 grandchildren, Huston (Brett), Anna (Matt), Sarah Kate, Jake (Patrick), Julia and James as well as his forever canine friend, Clover.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416, with Pastor Carl Blackburn officiating. A private family interment will be on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contribution be made in Jim’s name to t. John United Methodist Church, at the address provided, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Suite #6, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Please visit www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com to share your thoughts and memories of Jim.
The family will receive friends from 12 Noon – 2 PM Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at St. John United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are by the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
