The man, the myth, the legend and greatest dad and grandpa, Conley Edmund Geary of Pinedale, Wyo., peacefully passed away Feb. 12, 2022 in his home, with the Wind River Range watching over him, his beloved family at his side and the deer he enjoyed to watch in his yard.
Conley was born March 19, 1937, to Okley and Catherine Geary in Fonda, Iowa. As a child he loved helping on the family farm and eating his mother’s cooking. Conley proudly joined the United States Navy in 1956. He served for four years leading him to an honorable discharge in 1960.
On Sept. 3, 1964, Conley married the love of his life Carol Ann Parker. They absolutely adored each other spending their lives going on adventures, creating a family, building a full successful life and retiring in Pinedale, Wyo., where Conley proudly and unconditionally cared for Carol until 2006.
Throughout his life, Conley was a man of so many talents. He enjoyed backpacking in the Wyoming wilderness, camping, hunting, fishing and bird watching. Conley was a blockbuster artist. He was wonderfully skilled in sculpting, wood carving and watercolor painting. His avid love for wildlife and art lead him through a taxidermy apprenticeship. Shortly after he started his own business in Jackson Hole, Wyo., Wild Goose Taxidermy. Not only was he a master taxidermist but he was an expert on Wyoming, wildlife, gardening, smoking fish, deviled eggs, telling the best jokes and being the greatest grandpa.
Conley is survived by his two daughters Sally (Pat) Cothrel, and Diana (Mike) Wigg; one grandson Nick Cothrel, two granddaughters Mindy (Alexander) Kalmikov and Shelby Wiggs; three great-grandchildren Jenna, Bo and Korbyn; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol, his parents, Okley and Catherine, two brothers, Tony and Bill, and one son, Les.
To say Conley was adored, loved and respected by everyone he met is an understatement. His humor, commitment, hard work, knowledge and stories will be missed and remembered by all those who knew him.
A celebration of Conley’s unforgettable life will be held Sunday, March 13, at the Pinedale V.F.W. at 1 p.m., where lunch will be served; and also Tuesday, March 15, at 5:30 p.m. at the Elks Club in Jackson Hole, Wyo.
In lieu of flowers, Conley and his family would like you to simply take a walk enjoying the wildlife and landscape surrounding you.
