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Tucker Conley grew up in Marshall, Texas, youngest of the three sons of John and Libby Conley.
Although given the name Daniel Murray, he was never called by anything other than "Tucker" after the song "Old Dan Tucker," which his father began singing to him as an infant.
Tucker enjoyed growing up in the boom years of post World War II, including teen years in the 1960's that more resembled 50's era "Happy Days" that, in Marshall, were more insulated and less influenced by the tumultuous decade of the Vietnam era.
Being the youngest child in the family, Tucker could do no wrong in his parent's eyes. He got away with things his older brothers would have been punished for. He also assumed the role of comedian at school, and developed a wonderful sense of humor which he was known for by all. Even so, he was never a rebellious son, and he always adored his parents and was loyal to them and to his upbringing.
Following in the footsteps of his older brothers, Tucker began driving at a very young age. His father John and uncle Murray operated a used car dealership, and the Conley boys constantly drove cars purchased at auction in places like Shreveport and Dallas back to the car lot in Marshall.
The family's love of automobiles ran deep and included vast knowledge of the most minute details distinguishing various models and limited production vehicles. The family business afforded Tucker an opportunity to experience a wide range of cars, which once included a now-famous "Tucker" brand auto. During high school, the family business also meant that Tucker Conley always had interesting cars to drive. His personal favorites were always convertibles, and during his adult life he owned several, including a green Ford Fairlane Convertible, a yellow Lincoln Continental convertible with "suicide doors," and a MG A convertible with wire wheels and spinner nuts.
John and Libby Conley were converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Not knowing church protocol, and needing a place to hold meetings in Marshall, the Conleys purchased land on U.S. Highway 80, then ordered a church building from a kit supplier. This aggressive action attracted attention from Salt Lake City, and a general authority was dispatched to Marshall to investigate. Seeing nothing but an earnest attempt to provide for the church, approval was quickly granted. Tucker was a small boy at the time and it was his job to pull wiring through the short prefabricated attic trusses after they were installed on the structure.
John and Libby Conley enjoyed attending LDS General Conference, and with their boys began frequently making the long drive to Salt Lake City, Utah. All three Conley sons served LDS missions, with Tucker being called to the Ottawa Canada Mission.
Tucker attended Centenary College in Shreveport, but completed his education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah with a degree in Advertising.
It was while he was there he met Diana Monroe of Scipio, Utah. With the forthright manner learned from his father and the confidence of a returned missionary, Tucker soon told Diana he intended to marry her, though it took some time and effort to convince her to agree.
Tucker and Diana were married in the beautiful Manti LDS Temple nearby Diana's home town of Scipio.
Tucker sought employment in Shreveport, Louisiana, and to counter his father's skepticism about the advertising business, he offered to work for an extremely low salary at the largest advertising agency in Shreveport. The owner was already impressed by the young man, and instead offered a salary substantially more than requested.
After a short time in Shreveport, Tucker received a draft notification. Military service was not in his plan, but nevertheless he was inducted and had to sever his employment in Shreveport. Eventually his was discharged to a medical condition with excessive spine curvature, something which was evident in his posture, though it was not debilitating.
During this period, the first child was born to Tucker and Diana, a daughter they named Constance. As Tucker looked for employment, he turned his attention to the west of Marshall and got a job with the East Texas Chamber of Commerce, which had for decades issued many publications, including a monthly magazine. Tucker was hired at the Chamber of Commerce by Howard W. Rosser.
Daniel Murray "Tucker" Conley, 63, was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a wonderful father, husband, friend and teacher. Survivors include his wife, Diana Monroe Conley; son, Daniel Conley; daughters, Constance McChesney, Melissa Strom, Caroline Conley, Marianna Gutzman and Hannah Conley; and brothers, John and David Conley.
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Nancy Brown (Conwell)
Tucker would be the first to say, "EXCELLENT WORK" for our MHS Class of '64 website for our 50th Reunion coming up next April 25-27, 2014. He LOVED us, everyone -- he wanted us to love one another enough to get together every ten years or so and see how we were doing. To make sure we did, he spent much of the intervals between reunions thinking about the next one, making sure we found all the "lost sheep" from our classmate flock and inviting them to come home one more time.
His delightful, wild, crazy ideas spilled over on us, reminding us that life was to be lived to the fullest, savored, shared, remembered and enjoyed all over again. "The Movie" is testament to his energy, imagination, friendship and determination to preserve the glorious fun of one crazy day at MHS. (Okay, so it was a Saturday, but who today could pull off using the entire building and campus for a movie set?)
His spirit permeates the planning of this 50th year celebration of our 1964 graduation into the "real world" -- as do the spirits of too many of our classmates who have "graduated" before us into the world beyond.
Thanks, Tucker, for the memories of Reunions Past -- of phone conversations just checking up on Ken and me, telling us about Mrs. Lee's Daffodil Farm near Gladewater (yes, we did go there, and thought of you with each winding turn of the road among myriad golden blooms), running an idea past us -- like the Highway 80 Yard Sale project, the one-of-a-kind tourist brochure you designed for East Texas Tourism illustrated with photos you and Diana took on your meanders down side roads, sharing jokes or humorous articles written for travel magazines, newspapers, for Neely burgers with you and Diana. Thanks, dear friend. You gave us your very best.
By the way, Tucker asked me to tell you all, "Gomer says, Hey!".