Johnny Mack Conder

On Monday, February 10, 2025, we lost a caring husband, loving father, and giving neighbor. An unexpected health event took him from this earthly confine to everlasting life with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While those left behind are heartbroken, we rejoice in his healing and heavenly home.

Johnny was born on April 18, 1944, to Audie Eugene Conder, Sr. and Ellen Johnston Conder in Haskell, Texas. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents and brother, A.E. Conder, Jr.

He grew up in Olton, TX, playing football and learning how to paint while working with his father. Due to a love of music, his early career was in radio, then onto newspapers, oilfield services, and finally a long career with Abilene State School, where he retired in 2006. After retirement he worked with his son in the property management business before retiring for good in 2017. He really enjoyed visiting with various tenants and developing friendships along the way.

Johnny loved all things high school sports but especially loved his Wylie Bulldogs.  Many would say he bled Purple and Gold.  During football season, there were few joys of life compared to a cool, crisp, fall evening in the stands of Bulldog Stadium. He attended virtually all the home games and a majority of away games over the last forty years.

Johnny enjoyed woodworking and tinkering with many small jobs and generally piddling. He was a shade tree mechanic and helped all his kids learn a bit about making your own repairs. It must be mentioned that he was an extreme “collector” of not all things valuable. He had a tremendous love for pets. Too many dogs to mention but Charlie, Scooter, Coffee, and Bessie were tremendous companions over the decades.

Johnny is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Linda Kay Conder. When asked how he and Kay met, he would always say “that she was walking down the street saying lord anybody, just anybody, so he took her up on it”.  He is also survived by sister, Erlene Falkner, and sister in-law, Marlene Conder, three children, Tony Conder and wife Jenny, of Abilene, Kelly Conder and his wife Tammy of Tuscola, and Mendy Christopher and her husband Cody of Abilene, nine grandchildren, Hailey Watson, Holley Forester, Weston Conder, Brianne Pruitt, Ashlyn Brown, Kallan Christopher, Kason Christopher, Heather Pryor, Abbi Tople, and ten great grandchildren.

A family visitation will be held at Piersall Funeral Home, 733 Butternut St. in Abilene, on Friday, February 14th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  A celebration of life will be held on Saturday at the chapel at Piersall Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m.  followed by a burial at Potosi Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to your favorite charity or do something ridiculously kind for a stranger or finally forgiving that person in your life that deserves the same grace that Jesus affords us.

Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.