Robert Jackson Conley

Robert Jackson Conley, 73, of Sylva, passed away Sunday February 16, 2014. A native of Cushing, Oklahoma, he was the son of the late Robert Parris and Peggy Jackson Conley. Conley was the Sequoyah Distinguished Professor in Cherokee Studies at Western Carolina University. He was a well-known author of over 85 books, including westerns and fictional novels such as “Mountain Windsong,” based on Cherokee History about the Trail of Tears and “Geronimo: An American Legend” the novelization of a screenplay. His many awards included his latest; the Owen Wister Award for “Lifetime Achievement” in Western history and literature. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two Children, Robert Parris Conley and Vanessa Edith Conley and his brother, Thomas. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Evelyn Snell Conley, and son Eddie and daughter Cheryl, both of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, plus four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, also sisters Peggy Cline and husband Jack of Jacksboro, Texas and Donna Hammond and husband, Bill of Roseberg, Oregon, in addition to numerous extended family and friends. Memorial Services will be held at a later date both here in North Carolina and in Oklahoma. Gifts in memory of Conley will be accepted by the WCU Tsalagi (Cherokee) Institute, which he founded to focus on the coordination and implementation of future projects involving WCU, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and other Native American constituents. Gifts may be made by sending a check to Western Carolina University, Office of Development, 201 H.F. Robinson Administration Building, Cullowhee, N.C. 28723, with “Tsalagi Institute” in the memo line; through the website give.wcu.edu; or by calling 828-227-7124 (toll-free at 800-492-8496). For other donations you can also visit the websites of Western Writers of America or the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers. . .