Douglas M. ''Doug'' Conlee

CONLEE, DOUGLAS Douglas Conlee, age 75, passed away Thursday, December 6, 2001 at a local hospital. Graveside services will be held at 2:00PM Saturday, December 8th at Oakwood Cemetery with Rev. Bill Brooks, Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Mr. Conlee was born August 31, 1926 in Bryan, Texas to Florence and Jess Conlee. Graduating from high school in 1943, he joined the U.S. Navy and served during the remainder of World War II. After the war, he attended Texas A & M University. Later he joined his brothers, Donald and Jack in their moving and storage business and ranching interests. He married Betsyana Patterson of Bryan in 1949 and they and their three daughters moved to Waco in 1958 when he bought Ruhmann Grain Co., which became Conlee Seed Company. He was in the wholesale seed business for 40 years. Before his recent retirement, he was an active member of several seed organizations and served as president of the Texas Seedsmen Assn. and the Southern Seedmen Assn. He was appointed by two Texas Governors and served for many years. He is a member of Ridgewood Country Club and the First United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Donald N. Conlee and his parents of Bryan, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betsy Conlee, daughters, Cynthia Marable, Nan Felton and husband, Tom, Kim Hatchett and husband, Richard of Midland, grandsons, Mark Preston Felton and wife, Joan of Round Rock, Clayton Conlee Felton, Brandon Paul Marable and wife, Allison of Walburg, Blake Conlee Marable and Cameron David Hatchett of Midland and granddaughters, Carey Elise Marable, Kaitlin Conlee Hatchett of Midland, great grandchildren, Ashton Leigh Edwards, and Thomas Charles “Boots” Felton of Round Rock. His brother, Jack Conlee and wife, Betty Jo of Bryan also survive along with many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be his five grandsons listed above. Honorary pallbearers include Pat Beard, James R. Dickson, Jr., Howard Warren, Othel Neely, O.H. Browning, Billy Davis, Carroll Webb, Bob Claypool, Howard Mauldin and I.R. “Buck” Buchanan, Jr. Also, Gene Parsons, OK City, OK, Marshall Crouch, McGregor, Jay Curtis, Little Rock, Ark., Darwyn Metcalf, Amarillo, Bill Dorman, Lubbock, Nathan Boardman, Crosbyton, Blake Williams, San Antonio, Gary Pogue, Kenedy, Jim Roach, Corpus Christi, Fuller Blackwood, Houston, and Bill Rogan, Houston, John Moss and Edgar Bullard of Tyler. The family will be at their residence. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community Cancer Assn., P.O. Box 5002, Waco 76708, First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 7736, Waco 76714 or charity of your choice. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY