Richard Lowell Conkling

A native of Conroe, Texas, he passed away Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, at his residence in Baton Rouge at age 82. He retired as president of Nichols Construction Co., was a member of Broadmoor United Methodist Church and a U.S. Navy veteran. Richard's passions in life were traveling and flying. Survived by his wife, Jo Anita Conkling; son, Clay Conkling and wife Kerry, of Willis, Texas; two daughters, Katie Hurst and husband Cooper, of Woodville, Miss., Lea Martin and husband Glenn, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and six grandchildren, Adam Conkling and wife Emily, Tess Chaney and husband Jack, Jeff Cooper Hurst and wife Meghan, Taylor Hurst, Kelly Martin and Thomas Martin. Preceded in death by his parents, B.H. and Maggie Conkling; sister, Clara Mae Heath; and daughter, Cheryl Denise Conkling. Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East chapel, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 11 a.m. until religious service at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Ken Carroll. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, 70810 or Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, 550 Lobdell Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70806.