Alvin E. 'Al' Conaway
Alvin E. “Al” Conaway, 82, of South Salem, went peacefully to sleep at his home on Saturday, April 4, 2015.
He was born on Oct. 4, 1932 in Ross County, the son of Alvin R. and Francis (Daly) Conaway, and was raised by loving foster parents John and Anna Schmidt of South Salem. He graduated from Buckskin Valley High School in 1951 and joined the U.S. Navy (Air Anti-Submarine). On discharge, he returned home and married his high school sweetheart Janet Storts.
He was a member of the South Salem United Methodist Church, where he taught the Adult Sunday School class for many years. He was retired from the Mead Paper Company after 43 years and was Buckskin Township zoning inspector. Al loved traveling, meeting with his buddies at the Morton Road Liars Club, and of course, karate.
He was founder of the Bushi-do Karate Schools and personally trained many hundreds of students, over 80 to the rank of black belt; creator and director of the Buckeye State Karate Grand Championships; featured in national martial arts publications, including Who’s Who in American Martial Arts; inducted into both the Karate Hall of Fame and the Martial Arts Hall of Fame; honored by both houses of Congress of the State of Ohio, and in 1986 declared a “legend of Ohio martial arts” in the U.S. House of Representatives. He attained the karate rank of “ku dan,” ninth degree black belt and Grand Master.
He is survived by his wife, Janet (Storts) Conaway, whom he married on Aug. 16, 1953; one son, Michael Conaway of Canal Winchester; two daughters, Laura (Buzz) Clay of Greenfield and Angie (Greg) Clouser of Bainbridge; seven grandchildren, Brooke (Jeremy) Hargett, Kristen (Ryan) Anderson, Cameron (Tiffini) Clay, Erin (Eric) O’Brien, Megan Conaway and Adam and Spencer Clouser; two brothers, George Dean Dreher and Terry Beechler; one sister, Patricia Leach; two sisters-in-law, Audrey Miller and Linda (Dan) Hitt; and his special caregiver, Pam Smith.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffery Allen Conaway; and both parents.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 at the Murray-Fettro Funeral Home in Greenfield with Rev. Dr. Phillip Malone officiating. Burial will follow in the South Salem Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Adena Health Foundation Cancer Center, 272 Hospital Road, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601.
Condolences may be sent to www.murrayfettro.com.