John Edwards Conway

John Edwards Conway, age 79, died on Sunday, June 1, 2014. Born September 1, 1934, to Evaline Edwards Conway and Frank C. Conway, John grew up in Paola, KS. He was co-captain of Paola High School's first undefeated, untied and un-scored upon football team. John went on to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956, where he lettered in football three years in a row. Upon graduation, John accepted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and flew the B-47 bomber. John completed his commission in the Air Force and went on to attend Washburn Law School where he graduated magna cum laude and first in his class. He was also president of the student bar and editor of the Washburn Law Journal. John then moved to New Mexico and began practicing law. After a short time in Santa Fe, he moved to Alamogordo where he began his career as a City Attorney. John then went into private practice representing clients in a wide variety of cases throughout the state. John was elected to the State Senate for Otero and Lincoln counties, and served as the Republican Minority Floor Leader from 1973-1980. John then moved to Albuquerque where he joined Montgomery and Andrews law firm and opened its Albuquerque office as its managing partner. He continued to work on a wide variety of cases and lobbied on behalf of many clients in the legislature. During his legal career John served as Chairman of the New Mexico Judicial Council, the Disciplinary Board of the New Mexico Supreme Court, and the Governor's Organized Crime Control Commission. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan appointed John to the U.S. District Court for District of New Mexico. In addition to his duties as a District Judge, he was appointed to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court by then U.S. Chief Justice William Rehnquist, serving from 2003-2008. John had a keen sense of humor and he greatly loved all his family, friends, and colleagues. He was generous with his time and talent, and he mentored many friends in the legal profession and in politics. He was devoted to his country and all those who serve it in the armed forces, in government and in the community. He loved to fly airplanes, play golf and travel. He is survived by his wife, Ann Maloney Conway; his three sons, Bill Conway, Matthew Conway and his wife, Lisa, and Chris Conway and his wife, Lorraine; his six grandchildren, Daniel Conway and his wife, Amanda, Eric Conway, John, Bethany and Anna Conway, and Mark Conway; and one great-grandson, Parker Conway; his sister, Anne Burlingame and her husband, Robert; and his nephews, Mark Burlingame and Andrew Burlingame and his wife, Susan. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 25, 2014, 2:30 p.m., at the Pete V. Domenici United States Courthouse, 333 Lomas Blvd. NW, followed by a reception to celebrate his life at the Albuquerque Country Club, 601 Laguna Blvd. SW from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.