Albert Raymond (Bert) Conly

Albert Raymond (Bert) Conly was born on October 4, 1927 in El Centro, California to George Thomas Conly and Eva Mae Hopkins Conly. After his father’s death in 1931, the family moved to Aspermont, Texas to live with his aunt and uncle in several small West Texas towns. Bert moved to Midland in 1939 with his mother, brother and step father Dr. J.O. Shannon, founder of the Shannon Animal Hospital.

Bert graduated from Midland High School in 1945, where he enjoyed sports including football and track.

Shortly after high school graduation, Bert enlisted in the United States Navy just before his eighteenth birthday and served on the battleship USS West Virginia at the end of World War II. He was honorably discharged and entered college at Hardin Simmons University where he studied for three years and later graduated from the University of North Texas.

Bert returned to Midland after graduation and in 1953 was introduced to Sue Craddock on a blind date arranged by her sister and brother-in-law, Lela and Bill Midkiff, commencing a sixty-plus year romance. They were married in Hobbs, New Mexico on July 10, 1954 and celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary just before Sue’s death in 2013. Based on their own accounts and those of class mates, Bert and Sue were in the same sixth grade class in Midland.

After their marriage and the arrival of two sons (Bert and Gary), they moved to Lubbock so Bert could attend Texas Tech University. He later joined his brother and others in the local accounting firm of Conly, Peters & Smith. Bert and Sue resided in Midland for all of their married life except for a 10-year period when he became involved in the oil business and they lived in Corpus Christi and Houston. He sold his business in 1981 and returned to Midland.

He was a member of The Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity and served on several private and charitable boards over the years.

Bert and Sue enjoyed many past-times together including deep sea fishing in Corpus Christi, dance clubs in Midland and all the events at the Haley Library, especially the cowboy stories. Bert, his brother George, and others enjoyed hosting many Midland High School class reunions. He loved hunting and fishing trips with his friends, tennis and golf; shooting even-par at Midland Country Club on a few occasions. There were many tennis matches involving Bert and his sons over the years. It was great family fun.

Bert was a strong, independent West Texan, a faithful friend and wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. As a father, he provided a firm hand at the right time, knew when kindness was needed and instilled a strong work ethic. He felt fortunate to have his picture with his son, granddaughter and great grandson at a lunch outing last year.

Now, Bert is reunited with the love of his life and we will miss him.

The family would like to thank his friends for their support including the Wednesday lunch group and especially Russ Robken for his loyal and dedicated friendship. Also, thank you to all of the staff at Manor Park who provided passionate and tender care for Bert over the last eighteen months. Their patience and compassion for his well-being was obvious and much appreciated.

Bert is preceded in death by his wife, Martha Sue Craddock Conly (November 24, 2013); son, Gary Wayne Conly (February 26, 1978); parents, George Thomas Conly, Eva Mae Shannon and stepfather Dr. J.O. Shannon, and brother, George Thomas Conly, Jr.

Survivors include; son, Albert Shannon Conly and wife Jeanie of Dallas, Texas grandchildren: Shannon Leigh Conly Gozal and husband Joaquin Gozal of Salta, Argentina, Kendall Marie Conly of Dallas, Texas, Lindsey Briscoe Berg and husband Aaron Berg of Denver, Colorado and Mark Briscoe of Dallas, Texas, and great grandchild, Joaquin Gozal, Jr. of Salta Argentina.

He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who included them in the Midkiff and Fitzhugh family events which he enjoyed immensely and Debbie Conly and Andye Conly who stayed in constant contact.

Sue and Bert wanted to make a difference for young people seeking an education and established the Conly Family Endowed Scholarship at Hardin Simmons University. They enjoyed the letters from the scholarship recipients each year. The family requests that interested parties send memorials to the Conly Family Endowed Scholarship, c/o Mike Hammack, 2200 Hickory, Box 16100, Abilene, Texas 79698 or the Haley Memorial Library and History Center at 1805 W. Indiana Avenue, Midland, Texas 79701.

Family visitation will be Monday, September 18, 2017 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Ellis Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 11:00am at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity, 1412 West Illinois, Midland, Texas.