Obituary - Charles "Chuck" Conley

Charles "Chuck" Conley was born to Donald and Barbara Conley on a hot summer day in Malta, Montana, on July 18, 1960, and passed away at St. Peter's Hospital in Helena, Montana, on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, surviving more than three years after a Stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis.

"Charlie's Angels" (his wife, Connie, daughters, Angela and Sara) and his sister, Ruth, kept a vigil at his side until his peaceful passing.

Chuck was the fourth child of six, often being a bit of a scamp to his sisters. Growing up was pretty crazy, since there were six children born in eight years. He was a Boy Scout in his younger years, and then later on delivered newspapers. In high school, he excelled in his studies and participated in the National DECA competition his senior year.

Chuck started working his way through college by laying carpet for his dad. Chuck paid for his tuition as he studied and completed his course of study, achieving a bachelor's degree in travel, business and commerce with a minor in computers, essentially building his own degree.  

Chuck met his wife, Connie, during his last year of college. On July 2, 1983, the couple married in Havre at First Lutheran Church, and they moved into the apartment of the group home until they were able to purchase their first home on 3rd Avenue. They welcomed their daughter Angela Mary on Feb. 7, 1989, and moved to Helena soon after. Their second daughter, Sara Ann, was born in Helena on Feb. 5, 1991.

Chuck worked for the state of Montana as a computer systems analyst/architect, and then transitioned to the private sector, working for TRW, BDM, UNISYS Corporation and finished his career with several years working for Morrison-Maierle Systems, until his cancer diagnosis in 2012.

After 10 grueling chemotherapy treatments, Chuck recovered and began "chemo maintenance" totaling more than 40 treatments in three years. He called himself a "man of leisure," took up photography, spending time with his family whenever he could, and taking little trips when his strength was good. A special group called "Splashes of Joy" needed some help with their website, and in them he found a great new group of friends, and a creative outlet for his computer knowledge as well as photography.

Jeannie and Harley became treasured friends of his, as well as the extended Splashes family.

More than anything, Chuck treasured his family and was "bursting with pride" whenever he spoke of his daughters, Angela and Sara. He was an avid reader and studied new photographic techniques online, often asking his family to be his guinea pigs in trying the techniques he was currently interested in. His favorite movies were Monty Python and anything directed by Mel Brooks. His humor and positive attitude during his cancer diagnosis and treatment was an inspiration to so many people, and he often took time to step people through their first treatment, injecting humor and sometimes playing tricks on the nurses in the Cancer Treatment Center. The nurses took his humor and gave it right back to him, one even nicknamed him "Chuckie-poo" and then he dubbed her "Princess."

We are so thankful for the amazing and compassionate care that he received at St. Peter's Cancer Treatment Center and Oncology wing, especially Dr. Tom Weiner and Emily Burton for all her support throughout this process.  We are also thankful for the support of St. John's Lutheran Church and Sanctuary Choir, the staff and residents of the Touchmark retirement community  and the special people of "Splashes of Joy." Special thanks go to the families of Connie's music studio for their patience and support, with a special thank you to Diana Sizemore. Thank you to Morrison-Maierle for continuing to support and uplift us throughout these last three years.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 32 years, Connie; his daughters, Angela Mary and Sara Ann (fiancé Ben Kugler); his parents, Donald and Barbara Conley of Havre; his siblings, Cathy (Ken) Kihara, Ruth (Rick) Lagerquist of Plentywood, Mike Conley of Havre, and Carol (Grant) Sather of Poulsbo, Washington,and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Conley Nivens and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

A celebration of Chuck's life will be on Monday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1000 Helena Ave, Helena, with a luncheon following the service. Friends and family are invited to the Red Atlas section of the Staggering Ox, 400 Euclid Ave, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to raise a glass to his memory, share laughter and humor in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts in Chuck's honor to "Splashes of Joy" http://www.joysplashers.org or to the St. Peter's Cancer Treatment Center.

"I aspire to inspire until I expire." - Chuck Conley