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Arley R. Conner, Sr.
July 11, 1940 - May 16, 2018
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Arley Ray Conner, Sr., passed away May 16, 2018, at Providence St. Peter Hospital, in Olympia, Washington, surrounded by his loving family.
Arley was born July 11, 1940 to Ralph Elmer and Dorothy Erlene (Boone) Conner in Olympia. He was part of the pioneering Boone family that settled in the Thurston County area over a hundred years ago. He grew up in the Olympia area as part of this large clan and graduated from Olympia High School (1958) and later from St. Martin’s University (1963) where he majored in Political Science. Arley loved sports, particularly football, and was a Monday night football enthusiast (and any other night when there was a televised game). Arley married Jacqueline (“Jackie”) Bruno on November 13, 1959 and together, they had nine children. Arley’s career took him to St. Louis, MO, where he worked for Douglas Aircraft Company, and Lynnwood, WA, where he worked for Boeing Commercial Airplane Group. Arley returned to Olympia to eventually run the family business, Olympia Electric Company, until his retirement. He enjoyed his associations with the Elks and Eagles organizations. Arley loved the outdoors and always looked forward to his annual fishing trips to Canada, Alaska or Puget Sound. He was also an accomplished farmer and raised cattle for many years. His children enjoyed a childhood with many farm animals, home grown produce and family trips to Ocean Shores, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Hawaii.
Following his divorce from Jackie in 1988, Arley met Viki Coan and they enjoyed thirty happy years together. Arley was devoted to her daughter, Lynnette, and raised her as his own. They enjoyed a rich set of friends, trips to Cannon Beach, evenings at the ranch or farm and the hospitality of Lynnette and her husband, John, at their home on Johnson Point.
Arley was a loving, compassionate and generous man and he will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
Arley was preceded in death by his parents, former spouse, Jackie, sons, Christopher Boone and Patrick Joseph and grandson, Robert Conner Hall.
Arley is survived by seven children, Kimberly Conner (Tenino), Carolyn Winslow (Olympia), Leslie (Bob) Hall (Sammamish), Arley Ray Conner Jr (Jason Lewis) (Seattle), Paul Conner (Olympia), Marianne (Dan) Ledgerwood (Oak Harbor), Lyle (Miho) Conner (SeaTac), devoted long-time partner, Viki Coan (Olympia) and her daughter, Lynnette (John) Davis (Washington, DC), 12 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, sister, Erlene Rogers (Olympia), brother, Larry Conner (Olympia), long-time friend, Robert Wilson (Olympia), nieces, nephews and many extended family members.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to his physician, Dr. Gerald Faye, nurse, Catherine Winiecki, and the compassionate caregivers at Providence St. Peter Hospital and Mother Joseph Care Center in Olympia, and the South Bay Fire District 8 who assisted him through these recent years.
A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, August 11th in Olympia. For details, please email info@kwanchai.net . Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.