Jim Conroy

(From Parker Mortuary)

James M. (Jim) Conroy, age 70 of Joplin, passed into heaven at 3:40 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at Freeman West Hospital.

Born April 23, 1944 in Columbus, KS, he was the son of the late Floyd and Thelma Miller Conroy and lived in Joplin most of his lifetime. Jim owned and operated building materials businesses and loved teaching the Bible. He was a member of First Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Kimberly A. Conroy; two sons, Shaun Conroy of Joplin, Kyle Conroy and fiancée Emily Shelor of Kansas City, MO; a daughter, Carissa Conroy of Joplin; a stepdaughter, Cara Frett and husband Jason of Carl Junction; a stepson, Christian Verbryck and fiancée Michele Keller of Hannibal, MO; five grandchildren, Lillian, Gabriel, Kayleah, Skyeler and Emma; parents-in-law, Clarence and Sandi McReynolds of Carl Junction; brother-in-law, Gordon Wells and his son, Gregory Wells; sister-in-law, Mikiko Conroy with her daughter, Sandy Vaughn with husband Dave and sons Alex and Trevor, and son, Michael Conroy; sister-in-law Kellee Bingman with sons Seth and wife Sasha, and Eli and wife Joanna; brother-in-law Steve McReynolds and many extended family and countless friends.

Jim graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree from Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth in 1977 with an undergraduate degree from Pittsburg State University in Business Administration. He led a Tuesday Bible Study Group of business owners/CEOs for almost 25 years and taught many Sunday school classes. Jim and wife Kim established, built and served LifeChoices Medical Clinic in Joplin for 14 years and he also served on several church committees and various ministry boards. Jim loved God, his family and life and was a great friend to many – both those he knew and those he just met along the way.

A Celebration of Jim's Life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday (Sept 2) at First Baptist Church in Joplin with Rev. Jamie Tickel officiating. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Interment will be in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with Donald Loden, Ron Jones, Phillip McClendon, Ryan White, Gary Reynolds and Gordon Wells serving as pallbearers. Bill Cook is an honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Jim Conroy Memorial Fund, established at Arvest Bank.

Earth is missing a sinner saved by grace, while Heaven has gained a hero of the faith.