Longtime tire industry exec David Conley dies

June 22, 2014

David Conley, a recognized name in the tire industry since he was a teenager, died on June 16, 2014. He was 62.

Conley, who lived in Blue Springs, Mo., was born Dec. 17, 1951, in Paintsville, Ky., to Winford and Edna Conley.  He had a long and successful career in the tire industry, starting when he was 16 years old working with his uncle, Woodford (Wood) Conley.

Tire Consultants Group LLC recently hired Conley to oversee the company’s commercial medium truck, agriculture, off-the-road and industrial tire segments.

He had more than 43 years of experience in the tire industry in regional and national management positions. In addition to his roles in the tire industry, Conley created and managed a tire distribution program for a national footprint wheel distributor. With Dunlap & Kyle Co. Inc., Conley gained extensive experience in product planning; he worked with global and U.S. tire manufacturers on brands such as Hankook, Cooper, Sumitomo, General and Kumho..

He also served in the National Guard for seven years.

"David was a man with a gentle heart and a contagious smile and laugh," reads his obituary. "He lived his life with honor and integrity and was well respected by his colleagues, friends and family. 

"A simple man who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, David loved to have fun and to be with the ones he loved. He was a good father and a good friend. He had faith in God and believed in the power of prayer." 

Conley was a member of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City, Mo. He enjoyed biking, boating, golfing, and spending time with friends and family.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Williams (Stuart) of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Morgan Parker (Jason) of Olathe, Kan., and Courtney Hawkins (Timothy) of ", Mo.; ex-wife, but friend forever, Janet Conley of Blue Springs, Mo;  three sisters; three grandchildren; and his "significant other," Tammy Hodges of Grain Valley, Mo., and her two children.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Conley’s dear friend, Mike Vanderlinden. Memories of Conley and condolences to the family may be left at www.meyersfuneralchapel.com.