Lester Frank "Corky" Conrad

LESTER FRANK "CORKY" CONRAD Memorial services for longtime Cortez resident Lester Frank "Corky" Conrad will be held at 10 on Monday, February 14 at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Military Honors will be provided by Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Corky was born May 16, 1929 in Okeechobee, Fla. to Ralph Henry and Nona (Welch) Conrad. He passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at the age of 81. Corky and Joan Rose Weibert were married on August 29, 1953 in Hardin, Mont. Together they shared 57 years of marriage. The couple moved their young family to the Cortez area in 1958 where Corky spent his life farming and ranching. During the Korean Conflict Corky served in the U.S. Army in Korea. Corky was decorated with the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, the Merit Unit Commendation and the U.N. Service Medal. After his discharge Corky joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. At one point, Corky held the rank of Commander with the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. In his free time Corky enjoyed working on and supporting the rodeo as well as time spent camping. Surviving Corky are his beloved wife, Joan Conrad of Cortez; two daughters, Vicki Maley and husband, Tom of Cortez and Nadine Christian also of Cortez; by six grandchildren, Kristi Castello and husband, Nathan of Albuquerque, N.M., Shannon Carver and husband, Kal, Ryan Maley and wife, April, Gabriel Christian, David Christian, and Aaron Christian all of Cortez; and by 11 great grandchildren. Also surviving Corky are his siblings, Leslie "Scooter" Conrad of Aztec, N.M., Anna Jean "Annie" Wade and husband, Dale of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Gary Conrad and wife, Ronda of Pleasant View, Colo. Corky was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Fay Likes; and by his son-in-law, Henry Christian. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Lester F. "Corky" Conrad with Ute Mountain American Legion Auxiliary or the Ute Mountain American Legion Color Guard, 302 N. Harrison Ave., Cortez or Southwest Memorial Hospital Foundation, 1311 N. Mildred Road, Cortez.