Charley A. Conger, 81, passed on to Heaven, Saturday, January 31, 2015 from his home in Spearfish, South Dakota.

Charley was born September 11, 1933 to Theron and Lura (Parks) Conger. He graduated from Custer High School in Custer, SD in 1952, then attended and completed four semesters at Northern State Teachers College, Aberdeen, SD. He interrupted his college to serve in the Army April, 1954. He spent 16 months in Korea and was honorably discharged January, 1956. Charley returned to Northern State College and graduated in 1959.

His career included teaching industrial arts and coaching football, basketball and track in Pollock, SD from 1959 to 1961; teaching industrial arts and coaching football, basketball and track in Custer, SD from 1961 to 1968. Charley had the privilege of coaching with Red Zacher at Custer in 1962 with the football team being undefeated and claiming the Black Hills Conference Championship. He also coached a team in the state basketball tournament. Charley furthered his education by obtaining a masters degree from the University of Northern Colorado. In 1968, he started teaching and coaching at Black Hill State College now known as Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD in technology education (industrial arts) until his retirement in 1996. He coached the Yellow Jacket football team's offensive line from 1980 to 1982. In 1981 the Yellow Jackets were SDIC Conference Champions. While at BHSU, Charley worked for five presidents at the college, the college grew from 1000 students to nearly 3000. The technology division grew from three rooms to six and from three professors to six. Throughout his career he was actively involved in the faculty senate, Green and Gold Club and the Technology Club as a co-advisor. He was also a member of the International and State Technology Education Association; he served on the state level as the association's, president-elect, president and past president. Charley was elected 1992 South Dakota Technology Teacher of the Year. He served as faculty advisor for Sigma Tau Fraternity at BHSU. Charley was also active in the Spearfish community serving on the Spearfish Volunteer Fire Department and volunteering at the Spearfish Humane Society. Following retirement, he served as Chaplain of the Northern Hills Hospice from January 17, 2000 to February 1, 2011. Charley visited at assisted living facilities and private homes to minister to shut-ins by singing and prayers.

Charley married Ruth Holbach November 13, 1969. He accepted the Lord as his Savior November 8, 1980 at 10:00 AM. God had a plan for Charley's life. "His mercy and grace saved me." He was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church for 18 years, a current member of Grace Fellowship Church, Spearfish, SD.

Charley is survived by his wife, Ruth, Spearfish, SD; son, Kelly Conger, Rapid City, SD; daughter, Michele (Darrel) Schmidt, Meadow Grove, NE; granddaughters, Heather and Tonya; grandson, Darrek; great-grandchildren; Tasha, Tessa, Bennett and Austin; his brother, Elmer Conger of Tucson, AZ and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and their spouses and five brothers and their four spouses.
Memorial Services will be held at 10am, Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Donald E. Young Center Arena on the campus of Black Hills State University.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to benefit Black Hills State University Green and Gold Athletic Scholarship Foundation and Hospice of the Northern Hills.

Private burial services will take place at a future date.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory Services. Online condolences may be written to www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.