Van Conard Obituary Van Clinton Conard passed from this life September 23, 2013 in Lubbock. He was born into this life, April 11, 1938 to Ernest and Lucy Conard in Hobart, Oklahoma. Van graduated Valedictorian from Dimmit High School in 1957. He attended Texas Tech University and obtained an Associate's Degree in Accounting. Van married Melba Ruth Shelton on June 7, 1957. They were married 52 years until her death on July 21, 2010. Van worked as a Parts Manager for General Motors dealerships which included Alderson in Lubbock, Garner Motors in Amarillo, Howard Grey Motors in Snyder, and Frank Brown Motors in Lubbock where he retired in 2006. During the course of his 75 years he: obtained a pilot's license, and loved to fly his plane; was a master craftsman and handyman, who could build or fix anything; restored a show winning classic '75 pickup truck, loved playing his guitar, taught auto mechanics to inmates at Price Daniel Unit through Western Texas College, loved to do crossword puzzles, and work yard work. Most of all he loved his family; he was affectionately known to his grandchildren as Papa Goon and Pops. Van was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Don Eldon Conard, and a daughter Cindy Cannon of Round Rock, in 2007. He is survived by his wife Wanda Conard; his children Pam Camarata and husband Steve of Amarillo, Scott Conard and wife Amy of Lubbock, Dian Raley and husband Jamie, and Karen Martinez and husband Manuel, all of Sweetwater; and three grandchildren Ross Jones, Kimmy Martinez, and Talon Raley all of Sweetwater. A memorial service, to commemorate Van's 75 years of life, is scheduled for 10:30 A.M., Saturday, September 28, 2013 at First Baptist Church, Snyder. "He was the kindest smartest man we've ever known."