Derriel Conley

Derriel Max Conley, husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, and most importantly a man of God, left our presence on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the age of 83 and now resides with our Lord and all those he loved that went before him.

The family will hold a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at The Heights Church in Cleburne, Texas. 

Derriel was born April 30, 1941, in Levelland, Texas to Dorothy Violet (Holley) and Robert Cornelius Conley, along with his six siblings, Alvis, Verta, Robert, David, Susan, and Ronny.

Derriel married Patricia Dell O'Barto on February 8, 2020, in Cleburne, Texas. They resided in Fisherman's Paradise.

In 1960, at the age of 19, Derriel joined the United States Navy, where he served on the USS Topeaka. He was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal for his service in the Vietnam War. He was a member of the American Legion Post 50 in Cleburne. His love of country started early in life and that patriotism never swayed.

For 23 years, Derriel worked for KG&E Company as a lineman and supervisor. In Darriel's words he was "a real lineman not a Wichita Lineman".

Derriel had many passions. He was an excellent carpenter and that skill enabled him to travel on many mission trips with his church family. At The Heights of Cleburne, Derriel served as an usher and greeted all those that entered the sanctuary, making them feel loved and welcome. That gift did not end when he left church and he spread it everywhere he went.

A member of Prime-Timers, a group within his beloved church, he played dominoes, with 42 being his favorite game. He was so good at 42 he taught many others to play and ignited their love of the game.

Car racing of any kind made Darriel's motor run. He could not get enough of the sights, sounds, and smells of racing. Not only did enjoy watching them, he also enjoyed working on automobiles. His favorite place to sit at the races was directly behind the flag man because he didn't feel like he had been to a race if he wasn't covered in dust or chunks of mud. Darriel's was a life well lived by a man well loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 54 years, Marsha Conley; brothers, Alvis and Robert Conley; and sister, Verta Walker.

Derriel is survived by his beloved wife of four years, Patricia Conley of Rio Vista, Texas; son, Dennis Conley of Azle, Texas; step-children, Debra Cruz and Linda Rolling, also of Azle, and Larry Dennis of Wichita, Kansas; brothers David Conley and wife, Karen, of Cleburne, and Ronny Conley and wife, Karen, of Fort Worth, Texas; sister, Susan Wagler and husband, Steve, of Cleburne; 11 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; 11 great-great grandchildren; and other family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a tree of your choice be planted in his honor.