On the morning of Nov. 22, 2016, Lance Conway passed away at Huntsville Hospital at the age of 84. Lance was born in Collinwood, Tennessee on June 15, 1932, to Patrick L. Conway and Barbara C. Conway.
After moving to Birmingham and graduating from Ramsey High School, he joined the Navy. During the Korean War he was stationed aboard the USS Charles S. Sperry (DD697), which took him to 42 countries and finally to Norfolk, Virginia where he met his wife, Wanda. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University where he became a loyal Auburn fan. After graduating he moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he worked for Convair Aircraft as an Electrical Design Engineer. He then moved his family to Columbus, Ohio and worked for RCA as an equipment specialist engineer. His love of space and engineering finally landed him a job with NASA in Huntsville, Alabama where he worked for 28 years. Lance first worked in the Astronics Lab supporting the development of the Saturn V Launch Vehicle. He then transferred to the Saturn V Project, Systems Engineering Division and served as Subsystem Manager. His final years at NASA, he was a manager for the Solar Array systems for the Hubble Space Telescope, which included many travels to Europe working with the European Space Agency. He and his wife enjoyed hosting and entertaining many of the European engineers in their home during this time.
In 1972, Lance was selected by NASA to attend the Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama. He was one out of 280 individuals selected to attend. While attending the Air War College, he received his Master’s Degree in Education at Troy State University. After retiring from NASA, Lance continued his work with UAB doing research in Space Crystallography and Space Pharmaceutical testing while working at Pace and Waite. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War, and the Auburn Alumni Association. His passions of education and helping others led him to volunteer in the student mentoring program at West Decatur and Somerville Road Elementary Schools. Additionally, he delivered Meals on Wheels and volunteered for the Salvation Army. Lance was a member of Central United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Good Fellowship Class.
Lance was devoted to his family and made many special memories throughout the years with his children and grandchildren. His hobbies included genealogy and traveling around the country with his wife. He enjoyed his many collections of coins, rocks, stamps, books, and space memorabilia.
Lance was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Patrick Conway Jr.; sisters, Elaine Conway Atkinson, and Thelma Conway Mitchell.
Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Wanda Conway; daughter, Cynthia Waite and her husband, Steven Waite, of Fayetteville, Tennessee with grandchildren Daniel Waite, of Knoxville, Tennessee and Michael Waite, of Denver Colorado; daughter Sharon Ferguson and her husband, Donnie Ferguson, of Decatur, Alabama with grandchildren Nicholas Ferguson, of Savannah, Georgia, Adam Ferguson, of Duluth Georgia, and Anna Ferguson, of Decatur, Alabama; daughter, Andrea D. Conway and her husband, Dr. Jon R. Thogmartin, of Oldsmar Florida, with grandchildren, Brent Thogmartin, John-Alex Thogmartin, and McCain Thogmartin, all of Oldsmar Florida; several nieces and a nephew; and his beloved dog Piper.
Graveside services will be held on Nov. 26th at 1 p.m. in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville, Alabama with the Reverend Gary Formby officiating. Roselawn Funeral Home will be directing.
Memorials can be made to the Central Weekday School at Central United Methodist Church, 616 Jackson Street, S.E. in Decatur, Alabama 35601.
