John Thomas Conaway

Over the past 65 years John Thomas Conway had the honor of serving in the United States Navy before working at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Grumman Aircraft that was working on the first space missions. He then moved to China Lake with his wife Shirley Conaway and family where in his first year he received Idea of the Year Award as well as Superior Accomplishment Award from Electronic Design Magazine. For the next 40 years at NWC he was instrumental in helping create the radar and military weapons that are used today. Tom was a true visionary. He was always thinking and creating on how to improve technology for mankind. He had a passion for knowledge so much so that he built an observatory on his property. Tom and his wife Shirley wanted to create a legacy for their family and in 1978 they started an Apricot farm. But for Tom that was not enough. Sierra Shadows Ranch was developed and today is a family ran pistachio farm. John Thomas Conaway had a passion for life with a never give up attitude. He will be missed for visionary thinking and especially by his family.

He is survived by his 5 children Jeff Conaway (Josephine), Matthew (Tabatha), Douglas (Alice), Doreen Baker (Rodger), Cindy Stern (Michael).
Grandchildren Karen Scott (Mike), Jackelyn Murray (James), Jennifer Rydqvist (Charles), Nicholas Conaway, Thomas Conaway, EmilyAnne Conaway, Amber Latham (Cody), Tyler Stern, Sean Stern. Great Grandchildren Lindsey,Ryan, Bentley, Abigail, Charles.