Roy E. Conaway, 83, Topeka, passed away on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. He was born March 18, 1938, in Onaga, Kansas, the son of Eugene and Thelma (Miser) Conaway, and was a 1956 graduate of Onaga High School.
Roy worked for Union Pacific Railroad from 1953 to 1958. He served in the Kansas Army National Guard from 1953 to 1961 and the Kansas Air National Guard from 1979 to1986, receiving an honorable discharge as a staff sergeant.
He began his career at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in 1958, retiring in 2000 as an electrician after 42 years. During this time, he also served as a Topeka Police Department Reserve Officer from 1968 to 1986. After his retirement from Goodyear, Roy taught at the Washburn Tech - Goodyear Co-op Program
Roy married the love of his life, Julia O’Keeffe, Dec. 10, 1957. They recently celebrated 64 blissful years. Julia survives. Together they lovingly raised their six children and one granddaughter: Mark (Carolyn) Conaway, Marlene (Mark Stevens) Conaway, Linda (John) McCracken, Michael (Lisa) Conaway, Larry (Kim) Conaway, Nancy (Tim) Lohse, and Ann Conaway-Crowley.
His legacy continues with his grandchildren Bryson (Haley) Conaway, Caitrin (Cole) Temmen, Brandon McCracken, Amanda (Chris) Simmons, Emily McCracken, Amy McCracken, Mason (Stephanie) Conaway, Monica Conaway, Michael Conaway, Halie Lohse, Corey Lohse, and Erika Lohse, and great grandchildren Benson and Chasey Conaway, Calai and Celise Temmen, Michael, Corson and Xander Crowley, Emmie Meyer, and Kyrin Lohse (born January 21, 2022).
Other survivors include his siblings Joye (Bob) Laderer and John (Dorothy) Conaway.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Mary Jane Martens and Jerry Conaway.
Memorial services will be Saturday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m. at the Topeka Baptist Church, 4500 SW Gage Blvd., Topeka, followed by burial with military honors in the Prairie Home Cemetery, NW 35th St. and Menoken Road. Family and friends will meet from 10 a.m. to service time at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Topeka Baptist Church Missions Fund.