07/29/2026
Michael Allan Conrad
On July 25, 2026, after 84 years of life, Mike Conrad, beloved husband and life companion of Bette Anne Kester Conrad, passed on to glory –just six weeks prior to their 63rd Wedding Anniversary. Mike and Bette had two children; son, James David “Jim” Conrad (Donna), and daughter, Kristine “Kristie” Marie Conrad Connors (Jeffery). Grandchildren and great-grandchildren followed: James David “James” Conrad, Jr. (d. Kaylee Ann Wright), Jennifer Lee “Jenn” Conrad (d. Victoria Renee Conrad and s. Daniel “Danny” McMenamin V.); Ashley Blayne Connors (Jackson) (s. Connor Jackson and d. Savannah Jackson); Alison Nicole “Ali” Connors (Leach) (s. Cameron “Cam” Leach; s. Kace Leach; and d. Adalyn (“Addy”) Leach).
Born in Michigan to Allan Jacob Conrad and Martha Ellen Draper Conrad (both of Ohio) the family soon moved to Dayton, Ohio, with his brother, Neal D. Conrad (Judi). Mike graduated high school in Dayton. When the Vietnam War started, Mike enlisted in the US Air Force. Mike was trained as a Morse Intercept operator and was slated for OCS, when the Cuban Missile Crisis began. At that point, his civilian acquired skills intervened and he was selected to go to Homestead AFB, Florida, on special assignment as an AP – primarily to protect the flight line and diesel supplies. During that time, his MOS training expanded to add Civil Engineering. When the missile crisis ended, Mike became an AF civil engineer and a lineman serving on the CE Emergency Crew, spending some years battling asbestos fibers and diesel fuel fumes on the flight line and beyond to keep our jets going as they ferried personnel and equipment to and from Vietnam – yielding two collapsed lungs and a right bundle branch block that led to a military disability and ultimately claimed his life. After his active duty tour, he soon went to work for IBM in Boca Raton, FL. Mike received several awards for excellence in his field during his nearly 30 years with IBM. In later years, Mike worked in construction drafting and “take-off” bid preparation for builders and developers in Palm Beach County.
Mike received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was about 13 years old. Through the end of his earthly journey, Mike loved and faithfully served his Lord, Jesus Christ. After retirement, Mike became a Deacon and joined Bette in presenting Christian living and anger management seminars and counseling to inmates in two Palm Beach County road prisons, as well as in online presentations for Bible study – all through the aegis of Seed Time and Harvest Faith Ministry and Eagles Nest Way Ministry (both, “Faith and Grace” ministries and affiliated with Creflo Dollar Ministries).
A quiet man, by nature, Mike nonetheless won the hearts and respect of people and was a steadying force in life. One man (who knew Mike well) once described Mike this way, “Mike doesn’t say much; but when he does speak, people listen.”
Services:
A. On Saturday, 1 August 2026, a viewing and visitation time will be held at 12:00 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life memorial service at 1:00 pm. Both services will be held at held Tillman Funeral Home, 2170 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415 (ph. 561 - 965-4412).
For those unable to attend, services on Saturday will be available for viewing via livestream. To view the webcast beginning at 12:30 PM....CLICK HERE
B. On Thursday, 6 August 2026, an Inurnment and Military Honors ceremony will held at South Florida National Cemetery, Lane 3, and will begin promptly 1:00 pm. Please arrive 15 minutes early, if possible. The Cemetery is located at 6501 S. State Road 7 (441), Lake Worth, Florida 33449.
In Lieu of Flowers, please make a donation to the Palm Beach County Food Bank , The Navigators, or Wounded Warriors.
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