Kenneth Edward Conway

Kenneth Edward Conway slipped the surly bonds of Earth at the age of 91 on Friday, October 28, 2022 in Alhambra, California. Alhambra had been his home of the last 49 years and his family was by his side as his fight with lung disease ended.
Ken was born in Manilla, IA in 1931 to Paul and Anna Conway. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Elaine Murphy, Mark Conway and Francis Conway. Ken attended Manilla High School where he played on the baseball & basketball teams and was a member of the 20 student graduating class of 1949. After earning a degree in English from Loras College in Dubuque, IA in 1953, Ken taught 9th & 10th grade English and coached the baseball and basketball teams at Holy Family High School in Mason City. The following year he enlisted in the US Army and served 2 years stationed at Ft Sill, OK at the tail end of the Korean War. Upon completion of his military service Ken embarked on a career in broadcast journalism with jobs in Texas and Florida. He made a fateful decision to take a TV station job in Charleston, WV which is where he ultimately met and married the former Paula Jacquelyn Cobb in 1960.
Ken and Jackie began their family in Charleston, ultimately welcoming 5 children over a span of 7 years. It was in Charleston that Ken began his career working for the Associated Press, a career that would ultimately span 35 years and ended with his retirement in 1996. His job with the AP took them all to Spokane, WA for one year and then on to the Los Angeles area where they settled permanently in Alhambra. He worked as a news writer and editor, covering such newsworthy events as the Robert Kennedy assassination, the Manson family and OJ Simpson trials.
Ken had few passions in life. Second only to his family was his love of aviation. He became a private pilot in the 1960s when he obtained his Cessna 150. He could be found nearly every weekend meticulously polishing every inch of his plane, taking it for a flight around the pattern, or having a slice of pie at the airport coffee shop. He loved nothing more than to share that love with his family.
Left to cherish his memories are his devoted family: his wife of 63 years Jackie; his 5 children James (Pam), Anne (Dana), Carole, Kevin (Karin) and Julie (Daniel); grandchildren Melissa, Allyson, Rachel, Erin, Eric, Katie, Ryan, Laura, Loriel, Sophia and Lucas; and great grandchildren Lucy, Jack and Clay; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was an unflappable and loving husband, father and grandfather and he will be greatly missed. We are comforted by knowing that he has now undoubtedly put out his hand and touched the face of God.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 12th at 2:00 pm at St Thomas More Parish, 2510 S. Fremont Ave, Alhambra, CA. A rosary will precede the funeral at 1:45 pm with a reception to follow the funeral. Interment will be at Mt Olivet Cemetery in Manilla, Iowa at a later date.

Kenneth Edward Conway, 91, born on April 5, 1931, in Manilla, IA, United States, passed away October 28, 2022. He resided in Alhambra, CA at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Douglass & Zook Funeral and Cremation Services, Monrovia, California.