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Jimmy L. Conaway, 65, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on November 6, 2020 at North Kansas City Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at Heartland Cremation & Burial Society, Raytown, Missouri. LIVE STREAM LINK: JIMMY CONAWAY
Mr. Conaway was born on June 12, 1955 in Heidelberg, Germany to James and Betty (Ingram) Conaway. Jimmy grew up in a Christian home. He attended church at Sheffield Family Life Center as well as being a volunteer in the nursery. Jimmy was compassionate about having Christian faith. Not only for himself, but for his family and grandchildren as will. He had a heart of gold. He was always willing to go the extra mile to help just about anyone, whether they asked or not. He was extremely loyal and most definitely the backbone of his family.
Jimmy graduated from Raytown South High School and continued his education at Longview Community College where he received his Associates in Arts degree. He finalized his education at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. He worked at numerous high schools in the Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas area as a teacher and coach. Jimmy also worked at the Kansas City Star and Independence Examiner as a free lance sports writer and journalist. He spent his final days working at Ruskin High School as a coach and at KVC Nites as a behavioral health technician.
Jimmy’s career was his pride and joy. He most definitely lived his life to the fullest. He will be ever so greatly missed in our lives, yet is presence still exists in our hearts as memories of him will never fade away.
He was preceded in death by his father, James L. Conaway and mother, Betty L. Conaway.
Survivors include is daughter, Karen E. Conaway; girlfriend, Venessa Harris; ex-wife, Sally A. Rush; and grandchildren, Karissa L. Brandenburg, Kain L. Brandenburg, Kaycee M. Grado, Karina M. Conaway, and King R. Conaway.
Cecil Stockdale says
Coach i will miss you thanks for kicking my ass 75 76
Kimble Anders says
My Condolences to the family. Coach Conaway served his purpose. I am thankful to have been a part of his journey of the men who he influenced to become better men. Thank you for your leadership, hard work and commitment to changing lives. Blessings ??
Louise Waller, Counselor says
I enjoyed working with you at Northeast HS. You were always cooperative and a very pleasant staff member and good to our students
Louise Waller, Counselor says
I enjoyed working with coach Conway at Northeast HS. You were always cooperative and a very pleasant staff member and good to our students
Roberta Holt-Kipper, Northeast High School Alumni Association says
My prayers go out to Coach Conways family. He also put his students 1st.
Joyce Jones says
He brought his clothes in my dry-cleaners, always a pleasant person! Condolences to his family.
Terry McCray says
My condolences go out to the family and everyone that loved him. Coach Conaway brought me into Northeast to be the head football coach in 2012. I will never forget the look on his face when we brought the IL conference championship back to Northeast after 50 plus years. He loved the kids and he loved that school. Coach you will be missed!! Thank you for believing in me.
Brandon R. Birch, Northeast High School C/o 16’ says
My thoughts and Prayers are with the family. Coach Conway will be missed greatly.
colleen marie freeman says
Jim, you were a light in a dark place. Thank you for caring and sharing!
Bill kanan says
U were soo gr8 2 the Northeast kids as well with all the kids u coach. U were soo upbeat giving praise to all. God needed a sports statistician n I know ur resting in heaven shining a light. We will meet again my friend.
Richard & SueAnn Erb says
Thank you Jim for everything.
Thinking of you Karen and children, Sally and Venessa. Please know you are in our prayers.
Dr. James Sanders says
Coach Coach was a outstanding person. He will be truly
missed by all. Love you Coach
Dave Denny says
Jim, you will be missed! We were high school teammates, going back to the early 70’s; both coached 40+ years and were very good friends. Never met anyone more passionate about whatever he was doing; whether it was coaching, writing, research or helping and honoring others. I will miss those many conversations about our mutual interest. The KC area and young student/athletes lost a great one! Condolences to his family
MARSHA C ADDISON says
Sending my Condolences to the family of Coach Conaway! Coach will be truly missed by all!
THE BELL AND SPENCER FAMILY'S says
Our deepest condolences to the family, you’re in our prayers and thoughts. Mr Jimmy was our neighbor and friend for 20+ years. He will truly be missed.
Sally Rush says
For 45 years I witnessed a man with a passion for others. He was a true servant of the Lord rarely if ever putting himself before others. When an athlete needed shoes, he bought them. Jim was there any hour of the day or night as many times when he was called on, he’d be there. He loved the kids he coached and taught all the while being a loving provider for his family. Family and God were everything to him. He was everything to his family. He embraced his grandkids with his love and faith to trust in God’s plan. We pray for everyone that may be hurting at the loss of such an amazing man. While Jim will be missed, he will remain in the hearts of so many because he made a difference in this world.
Carol Clarke says
To the beloved Uncle Jim. We only just met you a short time ago when your niece married our son. We had so often heard what a wonderful man you were. We met you and felt your light shine that day. We wanted to know you more. Now, you are gone. We are so very sad. But your light will continue to shine as it is in the memories of others. Even for those you touched briefly.
Kristina Crouse says
I prayers and thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
Iyana Smith says
Thank you for being my coach. Your kindness will be remembered!
Mrs. Lee Crow says
I will hold his giant smile in my memory. I am so sorry for the family’s loss.
Felecia Andrews says
My prayers are with you during your time of bereavement…God bless
Reynold Middleton says
Jim, your passion will be missed. I always enjoyed our talks over the last 30+ years. I feel very honored to have been able to work with you on the N Club Board the last few years. Thank you for all you did to make the world a better place for the countless people you encountered.
Shalich Maglich says
Such a beautiful and humble soul who touched so many. I am at peace because I know where you are. My prayers to your family.
Lazell H. Williams says
No one had a bad word to say about Coach Conaway. He was nice to everyone, always had a funny piece of trivia to share, and was helpful. Everyone misses you.
Carla J. Gunner says
Rest in heaven Mr. Conaway! I am praying for your family.
Nicole Grant says
It always brightened my day to see you in the halls at school. Thank you for being a bright light throughout the years. My thoughts are with your family.
Peggy Cooper says
Jimmy was such a godly role model. He was a wonderful brother to Hedy. It was our privilege to know him.
edil ramos iruegas says
rest in peace coach i wanted to meet you but i cant now we cant meet u my respect to the the family and friends of coach and we will always have you in my prayers
Ronda McGuire says
Coach was such a humble servant of God! Thankful for his service in the Children’s Ministry at SFLC! This man was always able to bring peace in the midst of chaos. So grateful I was able to serve along side of him. See you soon Jim!
Casey Bruce says
Second game I worked at Ruskin he started questioning me about calculating when sunset would be. Made me feel like part of a group that day. It’s going down at 5:01, Coach.
ciara polito says
this is my sister name dakota coach Conaway was a good funny and kind person to everybody i hope you feel better i am praying for you i really missed coach conaway.
Betty Brown says
Jim was a wonderful man. Always helpful and serving. Prayers for the family. He will be missed. It was a nice service today
Sheri and Jonathan Rickman says
May his memory always be a blessing and his family find peace and comfort.
Raymond and Martha Thompson says
We are saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. Jim will be remembered as a kind, loving individual who was always willing to assist others. We were blessed to have him in our lives. May he rest in peace with our heavenly Father. We pray for peace and comfort to all who loved him.
Cara Williams From Ruskin High School says
we will miss you coach very much you will always be in our hearts rest and peace
Dakota Polito says
i think coach Conaway was a funny and kind and nice smart coach i hope you feel better rest in peace coach i really do miss you so much coach conaway.
Cynthia White says
To Mr. Conway ‘s Family,
I’m a coworker from Niles KVC residential home in KCMO and I worked closely with Mr. Conway for over a year ago.
We loved his presence, kindhearted and his genuine character. The kids loved him here and he was committed and fair to staff and always helping in any way to make sure everything went smooth.
I am praying for you all and especially his daughter and grandchildren whom he dearly loved.
I miss him too and I’m very sad about him being gone but I’m sure he has made it in to a more peaceful place. He loved God and he exemplified it through his life . Mr.Conway lived a life of love if you knew him you were bless by his presence.
He was a great example of how we should be as he modeled a Christian life in his actions the way he talked and the way he gave and even when he got upset he quickly would be humble and apologetic. No one is perfect but he came pretty darn close to it.