Henry Conley 1943-2001

Henry Conley, former executive director of the National Cutting Horse Association, died Wednesday, April 25 in Euless, Texas at the age of 58.

Conley had served as executive director of NCHA from 1994 until last July when he took a job as publisher of The Business Press, a weekly business journal in Fort Worth, Texas. Under his leadership, NCHA's net worth more than doubled. Membership in the association increased 15.5% and entries in NCHA-produced shows increased by 70%.

Conley came to NCHA after taking early retirement from Delta Airlines where he had been regional director of sales. A few weeks before his death, Conley had returned to the horse industry as director of marketing for the American Paint Horse Association.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at First Baptist Church of Euless. (817) 267-3313

Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Martin Thompson Funeral Home, 224 E. College, Grapevine. (817) 421-8550.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Warm Place, 1510 Cooper St., Fort Worth, TX 76104 (817) 870-2272; the American Cancer Society, 3301 West Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76107 (817) 737-9990; or the American Heart Association, (888) 433-7654.

Conley is survived by his wife, Dixie Conley of Euless; sons, Bill Conley and his wife, Julie, of Denver, Colo., Kelly Conley of Bedford, Clint Conley of Euless; daughter, Christy Conley of Euless; mother, Susie Conley; brothers, Bill Conley and Pat Conley; and sisters, Ellen MaGahan and Sharon Pugh, all of Pensacola, Fla.