James “Ron” Conley, 82, passed away on September 17, 2026. He was born on April 1, 1944, in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in Tullahoma, Tennessee, by his mother, Ida Mae Conley, and his grandparents, Eldie and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Conley.
In 1975, James married the love of his life, Sharon Dell Bolton, and they shared 51 wonderful years of marriage. He was a devoted husband who cherished Sharon and took great pride in making sure she was happy. He knew the secret to a happy life was a happy wife. Although to James, Sharon was more than his wife—she was his person.
James grew up with very little, but he was given something that stayed with him his entire life—the values of his grandfather and uncles, who taught him to work hard, provide for his family, and take pride in what he built. He carried those values with him, eventually building the life he had dreamed of, including a farm in Houlka, Mississippi, where he and Sharon lived and raised their family for more than 30 years. James loved his tractors, horses, cows, and the land, but his greatest joy was always his family. He was deeply proud of the husband, father, and grandfather he became, and even prouder of the family he was blessed to call his own.
Anyone who knew James knew he bled Tennessee orange. He was a proud Tennessee Volunteer who rarely missed a Saturday watching the Vols play. He enjoyed attending games in Knoxville throughout his life, loved hearing “Rocky Top,” and was always a fan, win or lose. His family finds comfort knowing he will be laid to rest in Tennessee, where so many of the places and memories he loved began.
James spent more than 40 years working in property tax appraisal and was immensely proud of the career he built. He was a Certified 1 & 2 Appraiser and earned his MAE (Mississippi Assessment Evaluator), the highest certification for county assessment and appraisal personnel in Mississippi. While working for the Mississippi State Tax Commission, he helped to develop the Mississippi Appraisal Manual before starting his own tax appraisal company, CKB, Inc. Over the years, his career brought him countless special friendships and professional relationships, many of which continued well beyond the workplace. He always said, “If you love your job, you never work a day in your life.”
James was preceded in death by his mother, Ida Mae Conley; his grandparents, Eldie Conley and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Conley; his brothers-in-law and dear friends, Eddie Lane and Jimmie Adams; his sister-in-law, Shirley Adams (Jimmie), whom he loved dearly; and a host of aunts and uncles who were important parts of his life, especially his Uncle Jack.
James is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon; his daughters, Leslie Posey (Marc) and Casey Patterson (Sean); his grandchildren, Madison Esterley (Wyatt), Taylor Posey, Kinley Patterson, and Holden Patterson; his great-grandchildren, Patton Posey, Sutton Posey, Cullen Esterley, Wells Conley Esterley, and Posey James Esterley; and his sisters-in-law, Billie Lane (Eddie) and Cindy Ray (Lorne), whom he loved and cared for dearly.
From humble beginnings, James built a life, a family, and a legacy that will live on for generations. He worked hard to provide for his family and was always willing to help others along the way. He loved his family with all his heart and was never shy about telling people how proud he was of them. The people he helped, the wisdom he shared, and the love he gave will be carried forward by those who knew and loved him.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time, Friday, September 25, at Pegues Funeral Home in Tupelo, Mississippi,
The funeral service honoring James’ life will be at 3 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of Pegues Funeral Directors.
A private family burial will be held at Concord Cemetery in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
The family is grateful to those who will honor James by serving as pallbearers: Anthony Michael, Wes Kight, Ron McCafferty, Robert Weisenfels, Wyatt Esterley, and Taylor Posey
Jason Adams will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Tammy Hulsey for the love, kindness, and exceptional care she gave James during his final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in James’s memory.
Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at PeguesFuneralHome.com.
