Patrick 'Pat' Morris Conway

Lt Col. Patrick Morris Conway 6.2.1947-6.11.2023 Patrick (Pat) Conway was born on June 2, 1947, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Byron and Alma Conway. Sometime after, Byron and Alma moved their little family (now with Patrick and his older brother, Mike) to Spencer, Iowa. Patrick always said Iowa was a great place to grow up, especially in Spencer, a 20-minute drive to Lake Okoboji and the Rooftop Garden. Patalong with his best friend Leo Milleman--spent his early years exploring Spencer, building train sets and even digging a tunnel under the train tracks to make a fort until they were caught. As they got older, their summers were spent at Lake Okoboji and seeing some of the great bands of the 50s and 60s at the Rooftop Garden. Pat was always industrious and hardworking as either a grocery boy or, later in high school, painting houses and barns for their neighbors painting business. Upon graduating in 1965, Pat went on to the University of Iowa where he joined ROTC and earned a degree in Business. While at university, Pat decided to pledge a fraternity. On one of the fraternity pledge nights, Pat found himself at a poker game (a poker face he does not have) where he lost all his money for the upcoming semester. Not wanting his parents to know, he opted to stay at school, working three (at times four) jobs to earn the money for the coming semester. He worked slinging burgers at Burger King and as a waiter/dishwasher at one of the sorority houses for a small salary along with his breakfast and lunch meals. He lived for free at a funeral home, where he also made $25/ambulance run with a hearse that doubled as the town ambulance. He returned to school the next semester, and it is unknown if his parents ever found out. During his time at university, Pat took flying lessons. One day, he slid the plane off the runway in a minor accident and earned himself the nickname, "Crash Conway." In 1969, he graduated and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. From there he went on to Laredo, TX, for pilot training. Unable to complete the training due to vision problems, he opted to be an air traffic controller. He was sent to Korat Royal Thailand Air Force Base. When he arrived, the Base had the worst safety record in the theatre of operations. Three weeks after his arrival, 1LT Conway was made commander of the Air Traffic Tower. After a year in his position, and an almost catastrophic personal injury, he had turned the safety record from the worst to the best as well as earned himself the Bronze Star and promotion to Captain. Posted back in the US at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Missouri (1972-1975), he met and married Cindy Cornell. He then served at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois (1975-1978) and then Randolph Air Force Base in Texas (1978-1981). They soon grew their little family with the birth of their son, Aaron Michael, in 1980. Aaron was Patricks pride and joy his little buddy. They did everything together. More adventure awaited Pat and his family when the Air Force sent his family to Ramstein, Germany (1981-1985). While there, they truly took advantage of living abroad, having a great time exploring all that Europe and the Mediterranean regions had to offer. Returning to the United States, the family settled in Woodbridge, VA, with Pat assigned to the Air Force Secretariat in the Pentagon. Pat finished his Air Force career there and retired as a Lt. Colonel after 22 years of service. He returned to the Secretariat as a civilian to begin his second career as a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian. He soon moved from the Air Force Secretariat to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Patrick always a hard-working, go-getter was soon selected and appointed to the Senior Executive Service. From there he went on to hold many key positions in the DoD and DIA, including Deputy under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, Deputy Director of Analysis at DIA, DIA representative to the Base Realignment and Closure, Senior DIA Representative to National Security Agency (NSA) and, finally, Deputy Chief Financial Executive at DIA until his retirement in 2012. He was a great boss, mentor, and friend to many along the way. In 2004, Patrick and Cindy parted ways and began their lives separately. Patrick met and married Tina in 2009. They had a great life together in Crofton, MD, where they were close to family and had a beloved church home. During their first years as a couple, they enjoyed travels to the Persian Gulf; Hawaii; Branson, MO; Florida; and Colorado. They spent many days together strolling through historic Annapolis, MD, and Williamsburg, VA. They had a mutual appreciation for good food and US history so living in the Chesapeake Bay area afforded them many opportunities to enjoy their life together. In 2012, after Pats retirement, they moved to Colorado Springs an area they both loved for its natural beauty, fresh mountain air, and sunny days. Shortly after moving, Tina also retired from the DoD, leaving them both free to enjoy Colorado and quality time with their family. Pats greatest pride and pleasure was his family. He loved Tina dearly and they enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. The many characteristics of Patrick: Always the gentleman, Patrick would hold the door, open the car door, walk on the outside of the sidewalk, and (Tinas favorite) always have a handkerchief ready for her teary moments. Kindhearted Patrick treated everyone with kindness and respect. Just ask those who worked with and for him. (Please share stories) Proud and loving father and grandfather and known as the baby whisperer, not just to our grandchildren but also our great nieces and nephews. Patrick had a temper, even from a young age. More than once Pats mom would be summoned to the principals office (she was a teacher at the school) to see to her son who had just thrown a book at the nun. Patrick was hard-working and driven. Many may not know that Pat struggled with dyslexia; this meant in his career in manpower and budgeting he worked twice as hard as most to produce the best products. ***Please share any stories you may have of Pat highlighting these or any other attributes you would like to share. And now I know that he is sitting on a park bench between his two favorite women, Alma and MeeMaw, sharing stories of yesteryear and looking down on us with love. Patrick is survived by his wife Tina; his son, Aaron; daughter-in-law, Summer; and grandson, Rory Patrick; his stepdaughter, Megan; her husband, Paul; and grandchildren, Selah, Adelyn and Caleb; stepdaughter Rebecca; her husband, Jesse; and granddaughter, Virginia; his brother, Mike; and sister-in-law, Gloria; and their children, Tom and Kathy. Patricks Celebration of Life will be held July 17, 2023, at 10:00am at The Road at Chapel Hills, 2025 Parliament Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. Interment is at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery at 1300. (10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs CO 80925). Flowers may be sent to Cappadona Funeral Home, 1020 E Fillmore St., Colorado Springs, CO 80907