Kelly "Buddy" Ronald Conley

Kelly “Buddy” Ronald Conley, 87, of Havelock, passed away Tuesday, August 6­, 2019, at Carolina East Medical Center.

His memorial service, with military honors and masonic rites, will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, August 12, 2019, at McCotter Boulevard Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Richard Savage.

Buddy honorably served his country for 27 years in the United States Marine Corps as a Master Gunnery Sargent.  He bravely fought in 3 tours of duty in Vietnam before retiring in 1978. After his time in the military, he worked at Havelock High School as a Maintenance Supervisor for 17 years. As a longtime member of the Havelock Masonic Lodge #688, he was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner Member of the Sudan Temple. His community involvement also included being an active member of the Gideons and the Eastern Star, a former member of Cherry Point Baptist Church and current member of McCotter Boulevard Baptist Church. Buddy was a funny and personable man. He was a patient father figure to many within the community and was passionate about helping others. Buddy was a truly devout Christian that lived by example.

He is survived by his second wife, Karen Lynn Arner-Conley of the home; daughters, Karen Conley Duplantis and husband Jon of Corpus Christi, TX and Robin A. Conley of Morehead City; step-daughters, Sharon Kay Striglio of Havelock and Laura May McGlaughlin of Akron, OH; sister, Margaret “Peggy” Lott of North Canton, OH; grandchildren, Kimberly Lemley and husband John of Azle, TX and Sean Duplantis of Corpus Christi, TX; and great-grandchildren, KaytLynn, Madeline and Raylan.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Owens Conley; parents, Mervin and Kathryn Conley; and brother, Harvey “Tinker” Conley.

Family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday, August 12, 2019, at McCotter Boulevard Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Gideons International Processing Center at P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090 or Craven County Hospice at 2818 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28562.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Cremations, Havelock, NC.