Obituary: Max Conley

Max Conley

Bountiful, Utah

Max Conley, our beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away peacefully from complications of renal failure on November 3, 2007 surrounded by family and close friends at St Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City.Born the third of four children to John Franklin and Sarah Matilda Gibbs Conley in the small farming village of Portage in Northern Utah on February 4, 1924 -- Enthusiasm, loyalty and passion for education, work and play were hallmarks of Max's life. He lived a life dedicated to service to family, friends, and community. At the age of 20 he rose to the challenge issued by his Mother to fulfill a promise she made to the Lord on his behalf during a grave childhood illness--- that if he survived he would dedicate two years as a missionary to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He served faithfully in the southern California/Arizona Mission. Upon his return he worked and studied through eight years as he completed his BS degree in Chemistry from Brigham Young University and doctoral degree in Dentistry from the University of Oregon. While completing his education in Dentistry in Portland he met a beautiful school teacher named Grace Esplin. They fell in love and were married for time and all eternity at the Logan Temple on July 10, 1953.

Shortly after completing his education Max was called by his country to serve in the Military at the largest Helicopter Base on earth at Fort Rucker, Alabama fulfilling a childhood dream to serve as an officer in the US military. After completing his military commitment honorably, he moved his young family to Bountiful and set up a Dental Practice where he served the community for over 40 years until he was forced into retirement by blindness at age 66.

Max faced blindness with the same courage, enthusiasm and humor that he had done with any challenge. He maintained a voracious appetite for learning and growing in new and different ways.

Through out his life Max served in many roles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including Bishop in the Bountiful 17th Ward and in the Bountiful East Stake High Council for many years. He also served as an officer in the civic service organization, Sertoma and led Delta Dental as President, pioneering better ways to provide Dental Health Benefits.

Max always had a strong sense of adventure and loved to play golf and travel. He was a great family leader and included his wife and family in most of his wonderful adventures. He was generous and a great influence for good and always found a way to make any occasion enjoyable and entertaining. He will be sorely missed.