Mr. Ralph Burton Conlee

Conlee, Ralph Burton, age 99, of Knoxville, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2016. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Ralph was born in Rosslyn, Kentucky on March 7, 1917 to the late Garry Millard Conlee and Francis Priscilla Martin Conlee. He grew up in his hometown of Stanton and Powell Counties, Kentucky. A graduate of Powell County High School in 1935, he joined the United State Navy in 1940, serving in World War II on various ships including the Aircraft Carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the Battle of Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway. He wrote the book, “The Sun Will Shine-Again” in 1992 about his life during the Great Depression and events of World War II. Ralph graduated with a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Kentucky in 1947. Following graduation, he became a teacher and basketball coach with his alma mater. Ralph retired as a civil engineer working in different positions in Kentucky State Government. Ralph was also the Director of Buildings and Grounds at Eastern Kentucky State College (EKU) in Richmond, KY from 1960-1963. He and his wife, Mary Ellen moved to Knoxville in 1963 to work for Mid-South Engineering to design the installations of sewers in the annexed areas of Knoxville. Ralph was hired as City Engineer of Knoxville for a short time and then worked for several engineering firms to include retiring from Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bernard Martin Conlee; sister, Louise Conlee Hurt and son, Garry Burton Conlee. Ralph is survived by his beloved wife of seventy years, Mary Ellen DeCenzo Conlee; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Mac Wilhoit; grandsons, Rick Wilhoit, Mike Wilhoit and wife Loren and Tim Wilhoit; granddaughter, Elisa Crawford and husband Matt; great-granddaughter, Harper Wilhoit and great-grandson, Cooper Wilhoit. A funeral Mass will be conducted 10:00 AM Monday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Father Jerry Tully, CSP officiating. The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HonorAir Knoxville, 7536 Taggart Lane, Knoxville, TN 37938, at which Ralph had the privilege of attending in 2014. He considered this event to be such an honor and a perfect last chapter of his life. Or you make a contribution to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Sunday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel with a Christian Prayer service to follow.

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Mr. Ralph Burton Conlee

March 7, 1917 - June 22, 2016