Richard P. Mcconkie

Richard Paul McConkie RICK Age 79, passed away December 21, 2006, at his home in Allen Park, MI. He was born March 12, 1927, to Claudia Belle (Wilson) and James Paul McConkie, M.D. in Pontiac, MI. His childhood was spent in Birmingham, Michigan, with his late dearly loved brother, Donald Ralph McConkie. Rick served his country during World War ll as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, earned the rank of Sergeant and recieved the Army Commendation medal in August 1946. He received his Bachelors degree at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1950 where he met his best friend and dearly loved wife of 59 years, Josephine Christine (Reitano) McConkie. He earned his Master's degree in Psychology and Education at The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1951. He began his career for the Detroit Sulphite Pulp and Paper Company in Detroit, then as Personnel Director with Scott Paper Company, and retired at the age of 62 from their successor company, Port Huron Paper Company. During his retirement, Rick served as a volunteer instructor for the Literacy Volunteers of America-Detroit and the Southgate Adult Education Downriver Literacy Council teaching many people to learn to read. In 1993, he was honored as the LVA-Detroit Tutor of the Year concerned Citizens Award sponsored by Citizens Insurance Company. Rick is survived by his wife, Josie, his two daughters Claudia Jo Jones and Merry Lynn Marcucci, Merry's husband Lawrence III, his son Robert Scott McConkie, and Bob's wife Peggy Jane (Burke). He is grandfather to Christine Brown Velasco, Gina Marcucci, Larry Marcucci IV, and step-grandsons, Brian Jones and Steven Jones. A memorial outing for family and friends will be held at Tanglewood Golf Course when the links are ready.