Victor Conrad

Victor Henry Louis Conrad of Clifton went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.  A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Zion United Church in Womack at 1:00pm. Due to COVID restrictions, seating is limited, and physical distancing will be observed. Masks are required for the entire service and interment. If you prefer to participate online, there will be a video link available following the service. Interment will be held at Clifton Cemetery.

Victor was born on October 26, 1923 in the Chase Community of Bosque County to Lee and Clara (Kunkel) Conrad.  He was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church in Womack, Texas where he was a lifelong member.  Victor grew up on the family farm east of Clifton, and attended Garnersville School which was located on the Conrad property.  After graduating from Clifton High School in 1941, he went to work at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station as an aircraft instrument mechanic.  In May 1943, he entered the U.S. Air Force, going to radio operator-mechanic school.  In 1944, he went into aviation cadet training and became a B-29 Flight Engineer.  When the war ended, his unit was one week away from being shipped out to Saipan, Japan.  After serving almost three years, he returned to the family farm in Clifton to help his parents. 

Upon returning home from World War II, Victor and his brother, Clarence, bought farm and ranch land west of Clifton.  He later bought out his brother, and this became the Victor Conrad Farm.  On April 17, 1948, he married Mary Christine Bergman.  They were blessed with three children, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren in their over 65 years of marriage. He and Mary lived on the Conrad farm from 1959 until they needed additional care.

In 1955, Victor went to work for Walls Industries Inc. in Clifton as plant manager.  In 1970, he became Vice President of production and travelled across Texas overseeing garment factories in Clifton, Cleburne, Hamilton, Gatesville, Breckenridge, Merkel, Sweetwater, Snyder, and Big Springs.  He retired from Walls with 25 years of service in 1980 as an Executive Vice-President.

Victor was very active in the Clifton community.  He was a director and charter member of the Clifton Chamber of Commerce and helped in implementing the slogan, “It’s a Great Life When You Live it in Clifton, Texas”.  He was also a Bank Director for Farmers State Bank and later the Clifton Bank.  He was a charter member of the Neils Creek Wildlife Association and served in many leadership roles at Zion Church at Womack.

After retiring, Victor returned to farming and ranching full-time.  He loved taking care of the land and his cattle.  He loved visits from his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  They all enjoyed John Deere Gator rides, fishing trips, and deer hunts together.  In his later years, Victor fed the deer right outside the yard fence, and he loved watching them come up to eat in the morning and evening. 

In 2014, Victor moved to Heckmann Assisted Living and in 2017 to Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home.  He loved playing Bingo, chapel services, and special programs at Sunset.  He also watched lots of Texas Ranger baseball in these last years. The family is deeply appreciative of the devoted staff and compassionate caregivers at Heckmann and Sunset for their loving care shown throughout his time there.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.  He was also preceded in death by his wife, Mary, two grandsons, Brian Conrad and Kyle Martinez, his granddaughter, Kimberly Conrad, and a great-grandson.

He is survived by his son, Mike Conrad and wife Sharon of Cleburne; daughter, Vickie Martinez and husband Kenny of Arlington; and daughter, Melissa Parks and husband Gil of Stephenville; grandchildren, Kristen Bymaster and husband Adam of Montgomery; Cole Parks and wife Kaylee of Stephenville; LeeAnna Ward and husband Travis of Dallas; and Lauren Parks of Dallas; eight great-grandchildren, Grant, Grace and Gage Bymaster, Karter Martinez, Holtin and Heidee Parks, and Tom and Parks Ward. He is survived by one brother, David Conrad; many nieces and nephews; and innumerable close family and friends who loved him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Zion United Church, 1411 FM 219, Clifton, Texas 76634, or to a charity of your choice.  

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