John was a man who loved life to the fullest and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was married to Bernadine Ruth Lee for 65 years. He was also a graduate of Murphy High School class of ’52.
John was known as the “official photographer” of our family. He attended nearly every family celebration and grandchild’s sporting event throughout his life. He loved this role and was instrumental in capturing and preserving the precious moments of our family’s lives.
In life, John was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church and was a Sir Knight of Columbus (4th degree) at Council 666. He served as Faithful Navigator in 1990 and was a life member of the organization.
John worked in the automotive parts business for 43 years. For 35 of those years he worked for Johnson Chevrolet. He was the parts manager at Bill Steber and Chris Myers in Daphne until his retirement.
In his retirement, he volunteered at the Joe Jefferson Playhouse, Fort Conde Visitor Information Center and the History Museum of Mobile, as a docent for three years. John was also civic minded as he helped at the Mobile Museum of Art for 10 years as a Chief Election Inspector during local elections. John always loved our local history and was anxious to share his knowledge with others. As a result, he researched and helped publish a book titled Heritage of Mobile.
As a true Mobilian, Mardi Gras was a natural draw of his life, attending many parades and balls throughout each festive season. John led the Etruscan’s Ball with his wife, Ruth in 1998.
John is preceded in death by his parents; Irvin Lorenzo Conklan and Ora George Conklan both of Mobile. Also one infant son, James Lemuel Conklan, his siblings, Delores (Dody) Cornelius of Mobile, Irvin (Sonny) Conklan of Millport, AL. and Aletta Baker of Dallas, TX.
John leaves behind three sons; John Grady Conklan Jr. (Kimberly) of Newalla, OK. Philip Mark Conklan (Saundra) of Collierville, TN.
Michael David Conklan (Kristin) of Mobile.
Also his two daughters; Susan Aletta Conklan Watt (Wesley) of Mobile.
and Mary Bernadine Conklan Elmore (Trevor) of Colorado Springs, CO.
John has 15 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
The grandchildren; Shawn, Julie, Gabriella, Brian, Jason (deceased), David,
Eric, Daniel, Nolan, Noelle, Alexander, Justin, Julia, Janie Ruth, Jenna.
The great grandchildren; Mackenzie, Charlie, Angela, Lucy, Landon, Olivia, Madison, Bailey, Gavin, Logan, Sydney, Christian, Madeline, Jack, Nathan, Cameron, Ian, Kaylee, Dustin, Dawson, Sydney.
Great great grandchild; Jameson.
We wish to express our gratitude and love to all the nurses and staff at Saad’s Hospice Retreat for their care and kindness to John and for supporting our family during this difficult time.
The family will receive friends at Radney Funeral Home-Mobile on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 26, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Pine Crest Cemetery.
