| Jackson "Jack" Conrad age 86 of Conrad Court, Glenville departed this life Wednesday, May 19, 2010 following an extended illness.
He was born June 12, 1923 at Dusk Camp, Gilmer County a son of the late Leland F. and Hallie Furr Conrad.
Born, raised and educated in Gilmer County, Jack began to make his mark on the community and state. During the 1940-41 school year Glenville High School won the state basketball tournament in Morgantown. During the final game Jack scored 49 points. That record still stands for the old WVU Field House. During the 1941-42 basketball season, Glenville State College won the state tournament with senior Bob Armstrong and four freshmen, Jack being one of them. In the fall of 1942 he worked in a war industries plant in Charleston.
A veteran of WW II, Jack served in the US Army 79th Division. He served in France was wounded twice and medically discharged with Purple Heart and Cluster. Honorably discharged with rank of Sergeant he was awarded PH (Military Order of the Purple Heart); PUC (Presidential Unit Citation); AAM (Army Achievement Medal); ASR (Army Service Ribbon) and CDCON (Good Conduct Medal).
He worked in the Conrad family restaurant and motel business in Glenville from 1945-48. Jack received his AB in secondary education from Glenville State College in 1951. He attended WVU 1950-53 and earned an MA in Guidance. Then attending part-time earned a Secondary Principal's certificate and then a full Public Administration certification. While a student at WVU he began teaching at Morgantown High School later becoming Assistant Principal.
He was employed in Student Services at Fairmont State College from 1961 until 1973. In July 1973 he took a leave of absence from Fairmont to return to the family business in Glenville. He worked at Potomac State College of WVU first in Administrative Research, then Registrar and Director of Admissions. In 1985 he retired with Emeritus status from Potomac State and WVU and took over management of Conrad Motel in Glenville. He became legally blind in 1986 due to Macular Degeneration. July 2008 he sold the Conrad Motel to Glenville State College with an agreement that it would remain his home and he finally retired.
Jack was inducted into the Fairmont State College Student Affairs Hall of Fame February 2007; Glenville High School Alumnus of the Year 2005; received Glenville State College Alumni Service Award February 22, 1995; and this Saturday, May 22, 2010 was to have been inducted into the Curtis Elam Athletic Hall of Fame at Glenville State College. He was a very active member of the Glenville Presbyterian Church.
On September 5, 1942 Jack was united in marriage to M. Jo Bush Conrad who preceded him in death April 20, 2003. Of this marriage there were three children, two of which survive, Stephanie Conrad Evans and husband Jim of Danville, VA and Charles R. "Charlie" Conrad and wife Kathy of Richmond, VA. One daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Conrad of Morgantown wife of the late Hunter Jackson "Jack Jr" Conrad (DOD February 6, 2007) survives.
Four grandchildren survive, Jay Evans and wife Karina of Tampa, FL; Kristen Evans Vickers and husband Patrick of Washington Courthouse, OH; Tami Evans Bolden and husband Robbie of Chesapeake, VA and Ted Conrad of Atlanta, GA. Five great-grandchildren survive, Benjamin Evans, Isabella Evans, Andrew Vickers, Reagan Jo Vickers and Ethan Jackson Bolden. One niece survives, Madelyn Sue (Suzie Kidd) Shipe-Hart and husband Brian of Niskayuna, NY. One sister-in-law survives Dottie Bush Shea and husband Jack of Alpharetta, GA. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and friends.
A special group of survivors who gave exceptional care and friendship, Peggy Losh, Nancy Greenlief, Roberta Smith, Avonne Nichols, Millie Beall, Alycia Wolfe, and "Fran Schmetzer, Lori Plummer, Pedro Montgomery and Thelma Norman," his loving church family.
Jack was the last surviving member of his immediate family having been preceded by one sister Madelyn Conrad Kidd.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Glenville Presbyterian Church, Glenville, WV with Rev. David Krum officiating. Burial will follow in the Meadow Lane Cemetery, Glenville (with full military honors). Friends may call 5-8 p.m. Friday, at the Glenville Presbyterian Church, Rt. 5 West Glenville and one hour prior to services at the church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Glenville Presbyterian Church Sunday School Wing Building Fund, c/o Glenville Presbyterian Church, PO Box 187, Glenville, WV 26351.
Ellyson Mortuary, Inc., Glenville is assisting the family of H.J. "Jack" Conrad with arrangements.
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