The Rev Dr John William Conrad

The Rev. Dr. John William Conrad died in Riverside California on January 16, 2023, following the sudden onset of pancreatic cancer. John was born in Victorville, California, on February 27, 1952 to Lloyd (Bud) Conrad, a decorated WWII veteran who survived 4 beach landings with the 1st Marine Division in the South Pacific, and Eva Conrad, the first woman executive of KFI Radio. Bud and Eva moved to Apple Valley in the late 40s and founded the Apple Valley News which they operated for 30 years. John grew up with printer's ink in his veins that inspired a life-long penchant for writing. He would later go on to publish hundreds of magazine articles and two books. In the midst of an undistinguished high school experience, he went to Loyola University in Rome, Italy, where he discovered a love for the Bible and theological study and also discerned he was not called to life as a celibate. Soon after he returned to the United States, he began flying lessons and earned his Private Pilot's License at 17 and went on to become the youngest Commercial Pilot and Fight Instructor in the United States, taking both check rides on his 18th birthday. These three passions, flying, theological education and writing carried him through his life. He was married three times: First to his high school sweetheart Jody Conrad with whom he had two sons, Robert and William; then to Teresa Conrad where they shared two stepchildren Julie and Patrick, and finally to Shannon Murphy with whom he shared a stepdaughter, Hillary. He is also survived by daughters-in-law, Krystle and Cristina, and beloved grandchildren, Ethan, Kaiju, Maya, Gwen and Claire, as well as cousins, Milt, Arlene, Erika, Dante and Liberty Larsen. He was very fond of joking, "I don't have a family tree...it's more like a family bush." After 20 years of flying and writing he stopped running from his calling, attended seminary at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, in Berkeley California, where he was awarded a Master of Divinity degree in 1996 and eventually took a Doctor of Ministry there in 2005. He was ordained a priest in 1997. He served parishes in Alameda, Berkeley, Glendale, El Cajon, University City and 12 years as rector of All Saints' Episcopal Church, Riverside, California. He was founding lay minister of St. Hilary's Episcopal Church in Hesperia and in the course of his 25-year service as a priest he was a Fellow of the College of Preachers of Washington National Cathedral, mentored seminarians at the Preaching Excellence Conference, led many pilgrimages to Israel/Palestine and took a prophetic stand on behalf of the homeless allowing them to form a tent city on church property in El Cajon, California, which eventually resulted in a winter shelter and the construction of a transitional housing facility. Services for Father John will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 3847 Terracina Drive, Riverside, CA. A fiesta will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in John's honor should be directed to the Endowment Fund of All Saints' Episcopal Church, 3847 Terracina Drive, Riverside, CA 92506, or to the Tom Wathen Center at Flabob Airport, 4130 Mennes Ave., Jurupa Valley, CA 92509.

The Rev Dr John William Conrad

February 27, 1952 - January 16, 2023