Edward Leroy Conly

Edward Leroy Conly
August 7, 1929 - February 8, 2015

On February 8, 2015, Ed Conly peacefully passed away at the Citrus Valley Hospice Hospital with his wife of 63 years, Betty Hentschke Conly close by his side.

Ed was born in Huntington Park California on August 7, 1929. He later attended Montebello High School and earned a college degree at the University of Redlands. It was at Redlands where Ed met and married Betty Hentschke, the youngest of five Hentschke sisters. In 1952, just after Ed and Betty's graduation from Redlands University, they packed up their bags and headed for Glendora California where Ed accepted a teaching position at Citrus Community College. Ed started at Citrus College as a Health Science teacher and track coach, and later became the Community College full time Athletic Director. Being a lifetime athlete and former star athlete at both Montebello High and the University of Redlands, serving as an Athletic Director and Track coach is where Ed truly left his mark on the Southern California Community College athletic scene. Whether Ed was fighting for or raising money for his athletic programs, building an indoor ski ramp for beginner ski classes, putting together weekend all-comers track meets, hosting high school track meets, or shaping and developing student athletes on his track teams, he will always be remembered as a "Do-er". Ed never said "No, we can't do it." Or, "Do you think we can do it?." Ed always asked, "HOW can we do it." And, he almost always got it done.

After 37 years of service to Citrus College, 25 of which he served as its Athletic Director, Ed retired to a life of travel, golf, and community service. With Betty close by his side, Ed continued to serve Citrus Athletics by staying involved with the Don Edwards and Billy Kilmer golf tournaments that raised funds for Citrus Athletics. Ed also loved fly-fishing and going up to the family cabin on Silver Lake in the High Sierra's. Organized golf trips with close friends to all parts of the US and some overseas destinations kept Ed and Betty busy for years. Besides organizing golf trips, Ed and his friend Bernie Boomer organized several Olympic events, attending all the track and field competitions. Ed and Betty started with the 1960 Tokyo Olympics and attended almost every Olympic event since then. He also was an avid hiker and skilled Race Horse card player. Ed and Betty made several trips to Hawaii to golf and visit their daughter, son-in-law and grand children.

Ed is survived by his partner in crime, wife Betty Conly, his daughter Camie Kimball (husband Ron Kimball), son Jim Conly, and two grand children, Kealani and Kapena Kimball. Ed was preceded in life by daughter Dee Dee Conly.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, February 13, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at the Glendora Country Club. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, interested individuals can make
contributions to the Citrus Community College athletic department in Coach Ed Conly's name.

The family would like to send out their heartfelt gratitude to the beautiful staff at Citrus Valley Hospice Hospital and especially to Dr. Byron Song and Dawn Handy Manus. Thank you for caring and making Ed's last few days comfortable. The family will forever be grateful.