Grover C. Conley Jr. (Johnny) died peacefully at his home in Spruce Pine, NC on May 1, 2016. Johnny was born in Penland, NC as the first son to Grover C. Conley Sr. and Emma Young Conley on October 27, 1924. He attended The Appalachian School in Penland and Bowman High School in Bakersville. He was a Roadman in Tennessee, working with several parties to measure elevations and distances before being drafted into the Army during WWII. As a member of the 5th Army under General Mark Clark, he fought across North Africa, up through Sicily and into Italy. He was injured in May 1944 at Anzio and earned a Purple Heart. After he recovered, he went on to fight in France. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre, and EAMET Campaign Medal with 3 bronze service stars, a Victory Medal, and a Distinguished Unit Badge. He received and honorable discharge in November 1945.

After the war, Johnny returned to the mountains he loved. He met, and married, a young French Canadian girl, Theresa LaFrance. At the time of his death, they had been married for over 62 years. Johnny and Theresa moved to Michigan where Johnny worked in Heavy Construction. he worked on jobs as far north as Lake Superior State College in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to as far south as Orlando FL where he worked on the Epcot Center.

Upon his retirement, he began returning to Penland every summer to renovate the home his father built and where he was born. He and Theresa later moved to Spruce Pine.

Johnny is survived by his wife, Theresa; four children: Stephanie (Mel), Michael (Janie), Pierre (Carmen), Laura (Scott); nine grandchildren (Chris, Andrew, Jenny, Eric, Duncan, May, Charlotte, Emma, and Lucy); five great grandchildren (Evan, Tristan, Tyler, Lily, and Jaedyn); one sister, Bertha Rohleder; and two nephews, Phil Conley, and Howard Rohleder.

No services are to be held at this time.

Henline - Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the Conley Family.