Fred Darrell Conley, age 82, Inverness, FL passed away on February 13, 2022 in the Encompass Health and Rehabilitation Hospital in Brooksville, Florida. Fred was born in Catlettsburg, KY on June 11, 1939 to the late Fred Foster Conley and Frances Cyrus Conley. He moved to Inverness in 1977 from North Carolina.
Fred was a Christian and was baptized at Oakland Avenue Baptist Church in Catlettsburg, KY. He graduated from Ceredo-Kenova High School in Kenova, W.V. in 1957. While there he was a member of the National Honor Society, president of his senior class, and played three sports. He earned a B.A. in Education from Marshall University in 1961 where he played baseball for four years.
After college he moved to south Florida and served as a teacher, guidance counselor, and coach of many sports. One of his greatest achievements was creating an inclusive culture of athletes at newly integrated Pompano Beach High School. In 1971 his varsity basketball team finished as the state runner-up in the class 2A basketball final. For 50 years the team has gathered for an annual reunion, keeping their bond and friendship together as the years went on.
From 1975-1977 Fred served as the men’s basketball coach for the Western Carolina University
Catamounts in Cullowhee, NC.
In 1977 he moved to Inverness, FL and worked for the Citrus County School District in a variety of positions including teacher, basketball coach, guidance counselor, dean, and assistant director at Withlacoochee Technical Institute. He continued his studies and earned his M.A. in Guidance and Counseling from Marshall University as well as a Florida certification as a vocational director. Following his retirement in 2001 he became a mentor for newly hired teachers in the Alternative Certification Program. He also volunteered as an instructor for the CCSO Teen Driver Challenge Program.
Fred was also an entrepreneur and co-owned Fat Boys Barbecue, later re-named Fred and Paula’s Barbecue in Inverness. The restaurant was a favorite of local race fans and many friends that have kept in touch to this day.
Fred enjoyed dancing, reading, boating, fishing, manicuring his yard, taking long walks on Rails to Trails, and traveling the world with the love of his life, Gail. He loved being with his children and grandchildren and made it a point to either host or attend all the family celebrations that he could. He was a huge fan of college sports, particularly basketball and football and passionately followed the Marshall Thundering Herd and the Kentucky Wildcats.
Left to cherish his memory and legacy are five children: Stephen (Shannon) Conley, Homosassa, FL; Bradley (Casey) Conley, Inverness, FL; Lisa (Todd) Barnes, Sylva, NC; Cheri (John) Connolly, St. Petersburg, FL; Ashley Smerecki, Inverness, FL; two sisters: Joyce Ferguson, Kenova, WV; Linda “Cookie” Lastition, Leesburg, FL; nine grandchildren and life partner Gail Margaret Grimm, Crystal River, FL. He was predeceased by his nephew Greg Ferguson of Kenova, WV and granddaughter Kari Queen of Sylva, NC.
A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1100 W. Highland Blvd., Inverness, FL. Bishop Douglas Alexander will officiate the service assisted by family and close friends. Cremation care arrangements are with Chas E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory, Inverness, FL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Fred’s memory may be sent to Withlacoochee Technical College Skills Student Organization, or Marshall University Greg Ferguson Memorial Scholarship.
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