It's easy to be patient in theory. But when rushing to work, maybe a wee bit late, it's sometimes difficult to maintain one's calm. "Yikes! I'm late! Let me through!" might be the reflexive reaction to seeing the flagger's "slow" sign swivel to "stop" as we approach the North Tongass construction zone. Read more...

Jesse Elbert Hussey, 88, died Aug. 21, 2010, at the Ketchikan General Hospital New Horizons Transitional Care Unit.

Ketchikan lost an ardent advocate this week.

J.C. Conley is gone, dying abruptly Sunday as a result of recently diagnosed cancer.

His death comes not long after those of two other community leaders - Tom Friesen and Bob Norton, who like Conley served as local elected officials and community activists.

Conley leaves a rich legacy as a father, a businessman, a politician and a friend, a friend many didn't know they had.

Conley is best known as a local businessman who advanced from salesman to owner of Service Auto Parts in a career made in Ketchikan and southern Southeast Alaska. His eldest son, Sean, had joined him in the business in recent years, while son, Nick, lived out of town.

As a businessman and volunteer, J.C. championed economic development of natural resources.

He served on the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly, lending to the body a sharp intellect and an ability to cut through red tape to advance the interests of Ketchikan. He lobbied in both Juneau and Washington, D.C., in those efforts, relishing the adventures of politics and making friends and crossing swords with foes at the highest level of government, especially when it came to timber-related issues.

Conley passionately supported the timber interests and fought alongside the Alaska congressional delegation, the Alaska Forest Association, Ketchikan Pulp Co. and sawmills, and loggers to preserve what once was the largest job-producing industry here. For years he served that industry through his business and as an advocate, and even as an announcer at the Fourth of July Timber Carnival.

Conley held a regional view of not only timber, but of the necessary infrastructure between Southeast's communities. He worked tirelessly for the Alaska Marine Highway System and the Swan Lake-Tyee Lake hydroelectric intertie project as a member and president of Southeast Conference, an organization of the region's communities working together on common interests.

He proved to be a leader in the business community, serving off and on over about 20 years on the Chamber of Commerce board of directors and as the Chamber's president. He liked advancing the interests of the Chamber through committee work and celebrating the business communities' accomplishments at its annual banquet. He served on several committees, including the Nominations and Awards Committee that selects the Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year. His nominees often received the Chamber's highest awards. When the Chamber held an annual raffle, he went from business to business selling tickets. Whatever needed to be done for business, he was more than willing to contribute personally and financially.

Conley held a Republican point of view, believing in the power and ingenuity of private individuals to develop a superior quality of life. But he counted Democrats and people of other political leanings as friends.

Even in the gravity of the moment, it would be a lapse not to mention Conley's sense of humor. While he was willing to fight, lambaste and make a ruckus if need be in the service of Ketchikan and Southeast issues, he was also the Borough Assembly member who played along with a radio reporter one April Fools Day, explaining how he had filed a motion to zone for slug tracks out in the borough. It wasn't long ago he walked the plank for the "Pirates of the KVBean." Such a willingness to join in the fun was a trademark.

Conley also realized how important education was, and how important extracurricular activities. Thus, he supported Ketchikan's youth through donation after donation. When he served on the Borough Assembly and the question arose within the school district as to how to pay for activities, Conley made a motion that the borough put aside $1 million over a four-year period to fund them. He had the answer; he often did.

Still, Conley didn't stop there. Many people give of themselves and make donations to support the community. What separated Conley from many others is that he gave with gusto.

As a member of Rotary 2000, a service organization of which Conley was a member for about 12 years, he frequently spoke up first to challenge the club when it was time to pass the hat to meet a need. More than once he promised to match whatever all of the other club members contributed, and whenever he won the weekly drawing, which he did more than once, he immediately donated his winnings to a charity or a cause.

Conley contributed to the arts, donating toward the performing arts center the community hopes to build, and supported the work of Rainy Day Quilt Guild.

As with his involvement in other groups, Conley didn't limit his giving by simply opening his wallet. He gave his time, repeatedly volunteering within Rotary to man the club's "cake walk" at the annual All-City Halloween Party at The Plaza year after year. Every youngster won when Conley was in charge of the game.

Conley's friends and acquaintances agree this week that he made a tremendous contribution and has left a void not only in Ketchikan, but Alaska. As we move on without him, all of us can appreciate that we learned from his example of sharing and service.

The Bible, in Hebrews 13:16, says in part: "Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need."

J.C. Conley did that.