Leo Edwin Conway

Born to parents John Richard Conway and Faye Reed Conway, Leo was the 6th of 7 children. His father was in the U.S. Army and the family moved many times causing Leo to change schools from Brownwood, TX to Kingsport and Oak Ridge, TN before arriving in Dallas where he attended 7th and 8th grade at Sacred Heart School. Leo also held the distinguished honor of graduating from Dallas Jesuit College Prep in the Class of 1953.

Leo met his wife Carolyn Elisabeth Podsednik on a blind date in February 1957 and was married on May 3, 1958 at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Oak Cliff/Dallas, Texas. During their courtship they had many discussions on size of family, jobs, and raising and educating children. Although Carolyn’s first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage with the loss of quadruplets, they were blessed with seven children afterward. Because Leo attended so many different schools while growing up, he made it an important goal that all seven of his children went to the same schools K-8th (St. Pius X) through 9th-12th (Bishop Lynch).

A lifelong practicing Catholic, Leo was involved with the Men’s Club and other organizations at St. Pius X Catholic Church for many decades during his children’s school years. He was a grill master on Runningbrook Lane in Dallas for about 37 years making burgers and hotdogs, as well as home-made ice cream and slicing up chilled watermelons, for the neighborhood kids. Later he and Carolyn joined St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Plano, TX.

After serving in the U.S. Army for two years, Leo returned to his job at Collins Radio. In October of 1958, he joined Haloid-Xerox as a tech-rep and held several positions with Xerox ending up as the Manager of the Southern Regional Technical Training Center. He left Xerox when they consolidated all training to Leesburg, Virginia, since he did not want his children to change schools. He later worked with Executive Instruments Inc, an aircraft instrument repair company, as parts manager, inventory control and purchasing agent. His last job was with the United States Postal Service as an electronic technician. During his retirement years, Leo enjoyed woodworking and using a lathe to make custom pens for family and friends.

Leo died from complications of the flu and is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, daughter Catherine Marie at the age of sixteen and son Richard Joseph at the age of forty-two, both parents, four brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his children Michael Conway and wife Julie of Lantana, Texas; David Conway of Farmers Branch, Texas; Valerie Conway Sledge of Richardson, Texas; Phyllis Conway and husband Jim Tuley of Dallas, Texas; and Walter Conway and wife Kristin of Longmont, Colorado and seven grandchildren: Alison (Jovi), Amy (Peter), Eric, Christopher, Whitney (Patrick), Preston and Nolan. He was a beloved husband, father, papa, uncle, brother and friend. Leo lived a full life and will be greatly missed by many.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, December 9, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ted Dickey Funeral Home, 2128 18th Street, Plano, Texas.

The Rosary will be prayed on Friday, December 10, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 950 Trails Parkway, Garland, Texas, and the Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. following the Rosary at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church.

Leo will be buried at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021 with Army Honors at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas.

Due to the existing outbreak of viruses, the family requests a small crowd of family and close friends for the funeral with social distancing in place. Unfortunately there will be no reception following the funeral.

Ted Dickey Funeral Home in Plano, Texas has charge of arrangements.