James V. Conway, Jr.

James Vincent Conway, Jr, 78, of Tappahannock, VA, passed away peacefully at Memorial Regional Medical Center on March 5, 2025. Jim, as he was known to most, was born in Bayonne, NJ, but spent all of his formative years in Staten Island, NY. He volunteered to serve in the Navy during the Vietnam War. It was his service that allowed him to meet his future wife, Tomeko Wada, while on leave in Japan. After finishing his service, marrying, and starting his family with Tomeko, they decided to follow other family moving south and found themselves settled in Tappahannock, VA.

Many in the Tappahannock area may remember Jim from the time he and his wife owned and operated the Montgomery Ward catalog store in the middle of town. After the closing of the store, he later found himself working as a civilian worker for the US Navy at the Dahlgren Naval Base. He spent the majority of his time working there in the ordinance supply group. He found his work there challenging but fulfilling knowing his work had a large impact on both the Navy and Marine Corps. He retired from this position in 2016.

Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Arthur Conway; and his parents James V. Conway Sr., and Mary Louise Conway.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years Tomeko; his four children Christopher Conway, Cherrie Shackelford (Robbie), James V. Conway III, and Joseph Conway; his grandchildren T. Cross Conway, Z. Ryland Conway, Olivia Packett-Beck, Matthew Shackelford, Emersyn Shackelford, Ayla Conway, and James V. Conway IV; his sister Mary Ellen Conway; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was also looking forward to the arrival of his first great-grandchild this year.

In his free time, especially since his retirement, Jim volunteered at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Tappahannock and worked as a member of the Knights of Columbus. Jim was particularly proud of his work with the Knights, in which he was often in a top leadership role, serving in the past as the Grand Knight of the Fr. Colin Cooke Council and Faith Navigator of the Tappahannock Assembly.

Jim will be cremated with a funeral mass being held at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 4, 2025, at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Tappahannock. His remains will be interred in the church columbarium at the end of the service.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to St. Timothy Catholic Church, 413 St. Timothy Ln., Tappahannock, VA, 22560.