Tommy Dean Conkright, 78, born Sept. 25, 1941, in Topeka, Kansas, died unexpectedly Aug. 18, 2020 in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Survived by wife of 60 years, Janice Faith (Henson) Conkright; children, Scott Conkright , Kimberly (Tom) Stratton and Todd (Jenifer) Conkright; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Jim Conkright.
Tom was a veteran of the United State Air Force, captain, earned a doctorate in international education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and worked in computer-based training and consulting most of his career.
Tom was a man of faith and served loyally in many roles in his church and community to share God’s love and improve the lives of others. A longtime member of Kiwanis International, Tom was the immediate past president of Kiwanis of St. Marys. Since moving to St. Marys from Atlanta upon retirement, Tom coordinated the National Day of Prayer for Camden County. He served on missions committees and led the Hands of Hope Ministry to McDowell County, West Virginia, serving the poverty-stricken Appalachian community impacted by the closure of the coal mines.
Tom and Jan traveled the world for work, pleasure and ministry. The Air Force took them to France and Germany, then research for his dissertation took them to Sierra Leone, West Africa. Later, Tom took his family to Iran, just before their revolution. Tom was headmaster of a school he and Jan launched in Qingdao, China. Tom and Jan took mission trips to Guatemala and Kenya and served in various churches to promote missions.
Tom will be missed by the many friends, family and community connections he touched.
A celebration of Tom’s life is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at First Baptist Kingsland, 295 E. Chester St.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hands of Hope Ministries Inc., PO Box 962, Welch, WV 24801.