JACK RANDOLPH CONRAD

Jack Randolph Conrad, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on the evening of December 2 at the age of 90. Jack was born in Lithonia, Georgia on July 25, 1923, was raised in Georgia and briefly in Texas during the Great Depression. Jack attended the University of Georgia for two years prior to World War II. When he reached the age of 18, he volunteered for the Army Air Corps and flew more than 20 missions over Germany as a bombardier navigator on a B-26 Martin Marauder. He retired from the USAF Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel at age 60. After serving a year in post-war Europe, Jack returned to America as a man on his own mission. By 1954, he had earned his Bachelor of Arts and Masters degrees at Emory University under the GI bill, and his PhD in Anthropology from Duke University. He came to Memphis in 1955 as Founder and Chairman of the Anthropology/Sociology Department at Southwestern at Memphis, now Rhodes College, the position he held for 30 years. As Dr. Conrad, he authored many articles in academic journals and four books: The Many Worlds of Man, The Horn and the Sword (honored and reissued in 2009 by the University of Seville in Spain as “El Cuerno Y La Espada”), The Museum of Man and Profile of the Playgoer, which is still used as a reference by Memphis’ Playhouse on the Square. He was working on a fifth book on the subject of creativity and the arts. He also held post-doctoral fellowships at the University of California Berkeley and Yale University. Jack was a competitive runner, lifetime golfer, organic gardener and experienced world traveler, with generations of friends on many shores. He was beloved by his former students as a celebrator and champion of human differences, and all his life he was a student of what he called “The Great Primate Brain.” He had many local friends from all walks of life, and was known for many years as “Doc” at local pub Alex’s Tavern. Jack is survived by his wife of more than 65 years, the former Madelyn Compton, whom he met at the age of 9 in San Antonio, Texas. Their long and happy marriage produced three children and eight grandchildren. Daughter Jane Nicole Conrad is married to Jonathan Poor and lives in Maplewood, New Jersey with their two children Henry Rolla Conrad-Poor and Margaret “Maisie” Elena Conrad-Poor. Son Roger Scott Conrad is married to Sarah Burnette Conrad and lives in Alexandria, Virginia with their three children, Nathaniel “Nate” Randolph Conrad, Annlouise Compton Conrad and Clifton Stuart “Stu” Conrad. Daughter Annabel Susan Conrad is married to Iddo Patt and lives in Memphis with their three children, Theodore “Theo” Conrad Patt, Dinah Conrad Patt and Jesse Conrad Patt. Jack also leaves behind two much beloved cats, Nicky and Nora. Jack referred to his own father’s death by an Ashanti metaphor: “A mighty oak has fallen, but has left many strong saplings behind.” For those of us who knew him as husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and always a true friend, he has left the same rich legacy. He’ll be in our hearts and minds always as a source of strength and reminder to always be thankful for food and freedom, for life and love. A private family celebration will be held on his 91st birthday. The family requests that any memorial gifts be sent to the ASPCA or the Memphis Humane Society.