Mr. John Marshall Conley, Sr., age 92, Johnson City, passed away peacefully Saturday, June 14, 2025. John was born August 12, 1932, in Penn Yan, New York, to the late Frank & Virginia Clark Conley. The second oldest of five children, he had four brothers Frank, Pete, David, who have preceded him in death and Keith Conley of Ohio.
John is survived by his loving wife Jane Miller Conley of 69 years. They were married on August 18, 1956, in Amagansett, NY and raised five children: John Conley Jr and wife Sandra Saylor Conley of Jonesborough, TN, Cheri Conley Sullivan and husband Dan of Lexington, KY, Patty Conley Curran and husband Larry of Colorado Springs, CO, Linda Conley Becker and husband Tim of Johnson City, TN, and Jim Conley of Johnson City, TN. John was blessed with 11 grandchildren - Elizabeth Price, Margaret Bixler, Caroline Buck, Josh Sullivan, Danielle Johnson, Lauren Jeltes, Ryan Curran, Michelle Miller, Jason Becker, Leslie Thompson, and Eric Becker; and 17 great-grandchildren.
John was a member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church where he served as an elder, teacher, youth group coordinator, a member of the Emmaus community, and on numerous church boards.
John took great pride in having served as a "Former" Marine and was very involved in educational programs on the local, state, and national level. John served his country as a sergeant in the Marines during the Korean conflict before graduating from Clarkson University with a degree in chemistry. His career in industrial textiles had his family moving to several states before becoming Director of Quality Control and then Plant Manager at Beaunit Corporation/North American Rayon in Elizabethton in the early 1970s.
Since 1988, John worked as a Real Estate Agent, becoming a Real Estate Broker in 1991. During this time, he served as President of the Johnson City Board of Realtors and the TN/VA Regional MLS. He was honored to receive the Mark Keesecker Humanitarian Award and the Wall of Fame awards from the Northeast Tennessee Regional Association of Realtors. John was a Certified Real Estate Instructor with D&D School of Real Estate since 2005, where he took great pride in teaching others including some of his granddaughters.
John was passionate about doing community service. He served on the Washington County School Board for 26 years. During that time, he spent 20 years serving as well on the TN School Board Association, representing all School Boards across Tennessee. John served as President of the TSBA in 2005 where he was awarded TN School Board Member of the Year and served as Chairman of the All-Tennessee School Board in 2003. John loved community sports, helping to start the first Youth Soccer League in Johnson City where he coached for several years. He was a member of the Johnson City Kiwanis, served on the Dawn of Hope Board of Directors for eight years, and served on the American Red Cross Board for four years.
The family will receive friends from 4:30-6:30 PM, Monday, June 23, 2025, at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home in Jonesborough. In honor of John’s memory, a service will be conducted at 11:30 AM, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home with Dr. Michael Lester officiating. A private burial service will follow. Pallbearers will be family members.
The family requests that memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516; www.woundedwarriorproject.org or phone 855-448-3997.
My deepest sympathy to Jane and the entire Conley Family, John will be missed. Worked with John for many years in real estate and he was a caring individual and always there to help, a real professional. RIP old buddy
06/24/2025
Laura & Jim WHeeler
So sorry for your loss. We always enjoyed chatting with Mr. Conley when out or when he attended church at Munsey. Was always inspired by how he loved and was involved in the community. I know that he will be missed. He was a treasure. Condolences to all of his family.
06/24/2025
Zina Forester-Carder
Sandra, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Caroline,
I hope you'll remember your old bus driver at Sulphur Springs. I just wanted to offer condolences and pray that the Lord blesses you all with peace that John, Sr is with Him, and comfort that you will see him again one day. John Jr, you gave your father three beautiful granddaughters!! Still love you all!!!
06/23/2025
Salesforce Engagement Director Team
Sending our deepest sympathies and condolences on your family's loss.
With love,
Salesforce Team
06/22/2025
Jan & Charlie Stahl
To Linda, Mrs. Conley and the entire family: Our sincere condolences during this difficult time. Clearly, Mr. Conley will be remembered as someone dedicated to his family, his country and community. God Bless.
06/20/2025
Larry and Betty Barr
Very sorry to hear about John’s passing. He was a great friend to the educators of Washington County. I always appreciated what he did for teachers. Having taught his granddaughters I can say that his legacy lives on. Know that Betty and I are keeping the family in our prayers. May God be your strength in this time of loss.
My deepest condolences to the entire family and family of mr John Conley. Will surely miss you.. ? RIP Mr John ?
The Roberson family and the Conley family crossed paths in the late 60's when both families lived in Shelby NC and were members of the same church. I think actually lived on same street. The Conley's moved to Rocky Mount NC in 1968 and The Robersons moved back to eastern NC to Rocky Mount as well the next year. Just so happened we moved across the street from the Conley's. Mom still lives in the same house we moved to in 1969. The Conley's later moved to Johnson City and we lost touch. I travel for work and during my visit to Johnson City earlier in the year I found the Conley's house. Another split level. LOL No one there so I left a note on the door not knowing if anyone would remember the Roberson family or if I had the right house. I received a text from Patti that she had found the note. She remembered us and when she told her Dad he remembered my father helping him remodel the basement of their house in Rocky Mount. So glad I left that note and glad to reconnect. Condolences to all the Conley family from the Roberson family. Janice, Ben, Jane. Henry passed away June 2013.
06/19/2025
Michael H Benfield
Mr. Conley was someone to look up to very much. So sorry for THE families loss of a great guy and super person. I so appreciated Jack for our many talks and sports competitions growing up. A wonderful man. Sure will be missed. God bless.
Michelle, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. God bless you and your family.
Mark and I send deepest condolences to the entire family on the loss of Mr. Conley. He was a great neighbor. A life well lived.
