Jerald Dean Conway

Jerald Dean Conway son of the late John Dee Conway and Freeda (Mahan) Conway and the beloved husband of Kathryn Conway Passed away peacefully on August 10, 2022, at his home in Eminence surrounded by his loving wife and family. Preceding him in death were his father, John Dee Conway; mother, Freeda Conway; one sister, Geneveieve Kile; and infant brother, Harvey; and a baby son, Jerry Dean Conway, who was stillborn on October 12, 1967. Also preceding him in death were his maternal grandparents, John H. Mahan, and Martha Conley Mahan; his paternal grandparents, Tom Conway and Annabelle Herren Conway; and his in-laws, J.U. and Ethel Boyd. Jerald is survived by his loving wife, of 62 years, Kathryn; three brothers, D.G. (Marilyn) Conway of Herrick, IL, Stanley (Barbara) Conway of Winona, MO, Doug (Glenda) Conway of Eminence, MO; one aunt, Pauline Mahan Goforth; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families, and many friends. Jerald was born August 8, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri. He weighed only 3 pounds at birth. After a hospital stay and additional weight loss, his parents brought him home to Thompson Creek on Current River. Jerald thrived on the goat’s milk fed to him by his grandmother Martha Mahan. As a Boy, he was raised in the Shawnee Creek area. He attended the Little Shawnee Creek School, a one room school, and graduated Eminence High School in the class of 1957.

Jerald was united in marriage to Kathryn Sue Boyd on December 25, 1959. Jerald and Kathryn’s first home was just below where they live now. Jerald didn’t have a steady job so their first year, as in most marriages, was rough. They lived on rabbit, squirrel, and deer meat. The winter was so cold that the meat kept on the back porch. Jerald soon got a job at the Winona Cap Factory and later at Eminence Lumber doing carpentry work. He worked in St. Louis as a union carpenter and worked other carpentry jobs in Salem, Houston, and Fort Leonard Wood, which were closer to home. He worked at the mines near Bunker. During that time Kathryn and Jerald were happy to be able to buy a new washer, deep freeze and an air conditioner. It wasn’t too good though having been married three years and in 1963 Jerald was drafted into the United States Army. He did his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood and later was trained in heavy artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. His whole battalion was sent to Korea, a long road, but returned in December, 1964. He was very fortunate as the ones who had even six months left in service went straight to Vietnam. Jerald and Kathryn started to church at the West Eminence Christian Church and were baptized in the Jacks Fork River at Alley Springs on a beautiful November day, with the sun shining on the river and leaves flowing down the river, a wonderful day. The lord has been so good. He has been our main helper that we depended on. We had many wonderful people there at the church that helped us along our way and we never forgot any of them. Jerald was a faithful Christian man and did his best in this natural world to stay faithful to his Lord. He often in his prayers would say that he did not want to be a stumbling block to anyone. Later, Jerald was hired on by the National Park Service but after a few months had a brain hemorrhage. Many were praying for him and the Lord intervened and helped us through that.

Jerald was unable to work for a year but returned to the Park Service and worked for over 20 years before he got an early out in 1996. After leaving the Park, Jerald continued his father-in-law’s business for 10 years after which he retired. Jerald and Kathryn spent some wonderful years at the cabin on the upper Jacks Fork River. They are thankful that the Lord provided many blessings, especially the life they had together and their good friends and family they shared their lives with. Jerald could write a good poem in a very short time, which everyone loved. He could on the spot recite poems including a long one about Sam McGee. He worked on finishing several gigs for killing yellow suckers to perfection. He also enjoyed working at the cabin. He loved deer season. At an early age, John Mahan, his grandfather, who was called Whitney John, would never miss going deer hunting on upper Jacks Fork above Leather Wood at the Kelly Field just below Chalk Bluff. Then later at Fish Trap on the Jacks Fork. Those were wonderful times. This Cancer on Jerald just slipped up on us, but God has his plans for our lives and his plans are what is best. He loves us and is there to always help us through the good and bad times. To Kathryn, Jerald was such a good man, really a gentleman. He looked out and helped me anyway he could and was always looking out for what was best. The Lord is our strength and He has and is taking care of us right now and Kathryn is sure he will continue to take care of her. May God have the praise. He is the controller and planner for each of our lives and loves each one here in this world. He gave His life for all. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at West Eminence Christian Church, Eminence, Missouri, with Alan Bates officiating, under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Eminence, Missouri. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9-10:00 a.m. also at the church. Interment will be in New Eminence Cemetery, Eminence, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com