Bennie Bruce Conley

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023, Bennie Bruce Conley, of Barnsdall, Oklahoma, passed away at the age of 70. Bennie was born on February 16, 1953 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, the son of James "Jim" Mitchell Conley and Georgia Cordellia Rowden Conley. He was raised in Pawhuska, Oklahoma and graduated from Pawhuska High School in 1971. At the age of 20, he began his lifelong career at REDA Pump/Schlumberger in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He continued his service for 42 years before retiring in 2015.
Bennie, better known as "Ben," "Uncle Ben," and "Papa," had a huge network of friends. When he walked into a room it would light up because he was a friend to all. He was also known as "the professor" for his useful (or not so useful) knowledge. You couldn't help but laugh at Ben's quick wit, bad jokes, and dry humor. When he was not taking a nap or "just resting his eyes," he would be working with his hands. If something needed to be fixed Bennie knew what to do or he would figure it out. As his daughter said, "You didn't know it was broken until it was fixed." And boy howdy he could fry up catfish, was proud of his homemade cheesecakes, and could smoke all kinds of meat in his massive self-built smoker. He always told his guests the only thing you have to put on his smoked meat was your lips.
Ben loved spending time with his family. He loved teaching his children and grandchildren the important things in life. He enjoyed many hobbies, but his favorites were hunting, fishing, and trapshooting. He was a member of NRA -National Rifle Association of America, ATA -Amateur Trapshooting Association Big 50, Bartlesville Sportsmen's Club, and the Tulsa Gun Club.
Bennie was preceded in passing by his parents, Jim and Georgia Conley. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Marie Conley; his daughters, Christina "Chris" Conley-Roldan of Bixby, Oklahoma, Sara Conley of Tulsa, Oklahoma, stepdaughter Michelle Alexander of Tulsa, Oklahoma; stepson, Christopher Coale of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; his nine grandchildren, Zoey, Jaden, Landen, Mazzy, Chase, Kaden, Will, Taylor, and Ashlyn; great granddaughter Amelie; brothers Richard "Dick" and wife Doris of Raymore, Missouri, Carl and wife Mary of Clearwater, Kansas, Jimmy of Pawhuska, Oklahoma; his sister Martha and husband Bob Brown of Longton, Kansas; best friends Bobby Tallchief of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Martin Parks of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Doug Branch of Pershing, Oklahoma, and a host of relatives and friends.
A celebration of Ben's life will be held Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Wakon Iron Hall, 181Wakon Iron Blvd, Pawhuska, Oklahoma 74056.
Dress is casual and if you choose wear camo in Ben's honor.