Chad H. Conrey

Chad Heath Conrey aka “Smokey,” beloved husband, father and friend peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his loving family and dogs that he so fiercely cherished after a three-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Chad had a remarkable gift for forming genuine friendships. He had a profound impact on all who knew him, offering love, empathy, integrity, loyalty and his infectious laughter was contagious. He was rock solid. He used to joke that it took him eight years to graduate from college because while others had their noses in a book, he prioritized building meaningful relationships.

Chad was unapologetically himself, expressing his thoughts and opinions openly and bluntly, no matter the circumstances or the company. He never tried to be anyone other than who he truly was… authentic and sincere. Chad was a rare breed. He was a straight shooting, honest and loving man who expected a lot from those around him, but never more than he was willing to give in return. He had a unique zest for life. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed being outside, camping, hunting, fishing, paddling, scuba diving, watching the sunset and gazing at the stars. He treasured his time in nature, especially in his beloved state of Texas. That is where his commitment to conservation flourished, and he was proud of his service as a board member of the Devil’s River Conservancy.

Chad was an incredibly gifted athlete. He grew up racing BMX bikes, won the state championship for mountain biking, and became a Category 2 road bike racer. It was on the track and on the road where he cultivated his competitive spirit and developed his mental and physical endurance that would benefit him throughout his life.

He carried the same intensity into his professional career. He thrived in the medical device industry where he was highly regarded as a leader and mentor. His tireless efforts were fueled by his desire to help educate the surgeons, hospitals, and OR teams to deliver the best technology and service to ensure the highest level of care for their patients. He especially enjoyed cultivating strong relationships with surgeons and scrub techs alike. Chad recognized that everyone had something to contribute to this world, regardless of their education level or background.

Chad had a passion for working lands and became an accomplished horseman. He was honored to be a lifetime member of both the Houston and San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeos. But perhaps the organization that meant the most to Chad was his beloved Tejas Vaqueros. This brotherhood not only offered him time in the saddle, surrounded by good men and beautiful horses, but deep, lifelong friendships and of course a perfect excuse for a bit of tomfoolery. The Vaqueros quickly became his extended family, and during their excursions Chad created beautiful memories with his youngest daughter, Emmy, on their “Daddy Daughter” rides and hunting trips. These shared experiences help shape her love for horses and working lands.

Chad (Smokey, Papi) deeply adored all three of his girls. They were the twinkle in his intensely blue eyes, and the spring in his step. Everything he did, he did with them in mind. He worked hard to provide them with a safe and secure home, always led by example and served as a reliable and true anchor in their lives. He was immensely proud of Riley, Lucy, and Emmy as they grew from girls into young women. He was a guiding force in their lives and will remain so even in his passing.

It would be hard to find a man who loved a woman as much as Chad loved Hillary. Their mutual love, respect, and devotion was an inspiration for all who knew them. Their feelings for each other ran deep, and the strength of their relationship, even amid his health struggles, was remarkable. They fit together like two pieces of a puzzle, seamlessly committed to embracing the joys and sorrows that life gave them.

Chad truly loved helping others. After his diagnosis, Chad transformed what could have been a time of despair into an opportunity for spiritual growth and deepened friendships. He delivered messages of hope, resilience, and gratitude to those around him. A dear friend pointed out that Chad had “The Bison Mentality.” Unlike other animals that run from a storm, bison run directly into the storm. This behavior is instinctive and strategic and helps them get through bad weather faster. The Bison Mentality is a powerful metaphor for the importance of confronting life’s difficulties with bravery and tenacity, and Chad embodied the Bison Mentality to his core.

Chad’s character was a beautiful blend of toughness and kindness making him a guiding light and bedrock for many. He strove for excellence in all that he did and encouraged others to do the same. Chad will be remembered not just for his accomplishments, but for the love he shared and the deep friendships he cultivated with relentless enthusiasm. May we all hold a little of his rascally spirit and that infectious laugh in our hearts forever!

He is survived by his loving wife Hillary, daughters Emmy, Lucy and Riley, wonderful parents Pauline and Roy McCharen, and Chip Conrey, Grandmother Eileen Anderson. As well as many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws…. ‘cowboys and outlaws, right men and southpaws, good dogs and all kinds of cats’.

Rest easy compadre. Vaya con Dios, Smokey.

His life will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. on January 24th at St Andrew’s Church and School, 722 Robinhood Pl., San Antonio, TX 78209.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Devil’s River Conservancy: https://devilsriverconservancy.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/devilsriverconservancy/donation.jsp

You may watch the livestreaming through this link: https://www.facebook.com/StAndrews09