Garley “Slick” Conner, Jr. 89, died peacefully in his sleep Sunday October 17, 2021 at the Hospice Compassionate Care Center. Slick always greeted people with a smile and every stranger was his friend.

Born June 6, 1932, in Richmond, Kentucky, the son of the late Garley Conner and Sally Curry Conner. He was a member of the Union City Baptist Church and was a veteran of the Korean War from 1953 – 1954 with the 27th Infantry (The Wolfhounds) at the rank of Sergeant. He was very proud of his service and was interviewed for several newspaper articles about his service, along with his six brothers who also served. In 2015, Slick along with his brother Raymond, daughter Patti and nephew Dennis went on the Bluegrass Honors flight to Washington DC. He also did a television documentary about his experience to see the National War Memorials. He worked for IBM for 25 years along with farming and training Tennessee Walking Horses. Two of his most noted horses were Go Boys Rebel Rouser and Eb’s Go Boy. He trained horses from the early 60’s to the early 80’s.

He was plant manager of CMS in Clay City Kentucky for a time and ran a flea market until he returned to Richmond in 1996. He worked for the Madison County Road Department for eight years and then the Sheriff’s Department as a Special Deputy until he retired at age 77. His philosophy was that when his feet hit the ground he needed to go to work.

He was united in marriage to Rosa Lee Covington in 1950 who preceded him in death in 2018. They were married nearly 68 years upon her death. Also preceded in death by their two sons, Charles Raymond Conner and Jerith Wayne Conner, along with his siblings, Mary Elizabeth Conner Wall, Kale Conner, Raymond Conner, Bill Conner, Joe Conner, and Ernest Conner.

Survivors include his daughter Patti Conner Reynolds (Dan), grandsons Chris Childers and Kevin Reynolds (Alana). Four great grandchildren, Kali Childers Lovett (Greg), Drew Childers, Tarryn and Tate Reynolds; and one great great grandchild, Gavin Lovett; a brother, Leo Conner (Faye), and a sister, Macie Eades, along with several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services were held Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, at Union City Baptist Church with Bro. David King officiating. A burial followed in Richmond Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Chris Childers, Kevin Reynolds, Kali Childers Lovett, Greg Lovett, Drew Childers, Tarryn Reynolds, Tate Reynolds, Will Daniel and Derek Daniel.

Honorary Pallbearers were Jennifer Clark, our wonderful caregiver for Mother and Daddy, Tracy Childers, Gavin Lovett, Valerie Botkin, Dennis Conner, Robert David Eades, Billy Hacker, Johnny Covington, Donald Stamper, Shelley Covington Bell.