James Arthur Conway

CPO USN (Surface Warfare) Retired, James Arthur (Jamie) Conway, born August 26, 1964 stood in his Eternal Father’s presence for the first time on Friday, September 19, 2025. He rejoined his earthly father, Charles Wilbur Conway, his beloved mother, Hennie Jean Conway and his brother, Charles Thomas (Tommy) Conway and a host of relatives and friends in a joyous reunion.

He is survived by his soulmate, life companion, and love of his life, Greta Shockely; sisters, Lyn Terrell, Bonnie Conway; brother, Gary (Angela) Conway, and a bounty of nieces and nephews.

I want it known that I understood very well that I was a very imperfect person. Although I claimed to have been saved and baptized early in life, I chose to live my life my own way, and not for the Lord…full of sin and debauchery, suffering, but ultimate redemption. It was not until after much doubt, faithlessness, struggling, and wrestling with God that I truly realized what it meant to be saved and bathed in His Glory.

I truly believe He sent His son to absolve me of my many sins by paying my price with His own suffering, blood, death, and ultimate resurrection. I believe that as this service takes place I will already have risen and seen the Lord’s loving and mighty face and have been reunited with friends and loved ones. I believe that my mother, father, and brother Tommy will have met me at the boundaries of Heaven. We will all be whole, well, and happy beyond comprehension.

All the questions I ever had that were never answered her on earth will have been answered, instantaneously. I will know the mysteries. We will all be surrounded and enveloped by God’s light and love and his ultimate purpose for us will be revealed. For those of you who I love and love me, it may be many years before we meet again. For me, it will be but a single flutter of a Hummingbird’s wing. Until then, I hope and pray that blesses and protects each one of you.

I was so blessed to have a mother who I considered one of the great and guiding lights of my life. She was so wise, kind, considerate, and the most genuinely spiritual person I ever knew. As I struggled with matters of faith, and suffered with increasingly debilitating illnesses, she was there, offering encouragement, wisdom, and nuggets of her own powerful faith which helped lead me back to the Lord and my own faith in Him. I so look forward to seeing her again.

God led me to Greta, who has been there for me through thick and thin, in sickness and health. We’ve been through so much together: so many feelings, both beautiful and painful. I can’t even begin to describe to you the depth of my love for her. She always had my best interest at heart She has been my companion and constant source of encouragement through so many adventures, so many hospitals stays, the estrangement or loss of family and friends and much-loved critters, and the making of a life and home together. I love her deeply and without condition. The love we have, I'm certain, will outlast the grave.

I loved the Navy and serving my country. A part of me missed it until the day I died. I believe that sacrifice in the service of your country is still a noble and honorable undertaking. I saw and experienced so many things, both good and bad, in my 20+ year Naval career. I would not have traded most of that experience because it was a large part of the person I became.

I served at US Naval Facility, Brawdy Wales, UK where I participated in operations tracking the Soviet ballistic missile submarine threat to the US and our allies during a crucial time during the Cold War. I also played a small part in operations which helped to thwart Soviet and Chinese intelligence gathering operations regarding our undersea acoustic surveillance capabilities.

Wales was my first adventure abroad and I loved every moment. I was smitten with Wales and the Weish people. I loved the history, the castles, and the ancient mysteries. I was so fortunate to have been able to reside in the 350-year-old game keeper's cottage on the Picton Castle estate. I always considered Wales my second home and was thrilled to have lived in the country of my paternal ancestry.

I twice served aboard the USS Thomas S. Gates (CG-51), a guided missile cruiser. I was a part of her original crew which are known as Plankowners. I was immensely proud of that ship and being part of her crew. During my time aboard the Gates, we participated in counter-narcotics operations with the USCG in the Caribbean and Easter Pacific. We visited Columbia, Panama, and Ecuador and twice transited the Panama Canal. We crossed the equator in the Eastern Pacific and conducted "Crossing the Line" ceremonies where I became a mighty Shellback. We participated in a Standing Naval Forces Atlantic deployment as part of NATO forces, and visited Norway, Finland, Germany, Scotland, England, France, the Basque region of Spain, and Portugal.

I continued my sea service aboard USS Puget Sound (AD-38), a repair ship which accompanied battle groups and Marine Amphibious Readiness Groups during two Mediterranean deployments during which I visited various ports-of-call in France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Sicily, Crete, Turkey, and Israel.

I also served at the Submarine Repair Facility in Groton, CT and with the US Navy Seabees in the 20th Naval Construction Regiment at Gulfport, MS and at the Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity in Pascagoula, MS where I served as the Electronics Division Officer and Training Officer.

Among many awards and decorations, I earned the rank of Chief Petty Officer, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia, and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, five awards of the Navy Achievement Medal, five awards of the Navy Good Conduct Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, the NATO Medal for operations in support of missions in the former Yugoslavia, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Navy Humanitarian Service Medal.

There are two passages from the Bible which meant so much to me.

Romans 1:1-5 "suffering produces perseverance: perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

The other Biblical passage, Luke 15:11-32, tells the story of The Prodigal Son, which describes how I chose to live my life in such a hedonistic fashion but was ultimately showered with Divine forgiveness, love, and affection.

I can't honestly say that there's nothing I would change about my life, because there are quite a few things. But, all-in-all, it's been one heck of a ride!

Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Fairhope on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 11:00AM.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 6:00pm until 8:00PM.

Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Bay Minette, Alabama.

“No Flowers” Family suggests donations be made to the Shriners, St. Jude’s, Tunnels to Towers Foundation or to the Wounded Warriors.

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