Francis Dwight Conaway, known throughout his life as Dwight, was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, teacher, coach, and friend whose life was defined by his love for his family, his dedication to his students, and his willingness to help anyone who needed him.

Dwight attended Fairview High School before continuing his education at Fairmont State College, where he became an accomplished basketball player and left a lasting mark on the school’s athletic history. He was the first Fairmont State basketball player to earn NAIA All-American honors and was later inducted into both the Fairmont State College Athletic Hall of Fame and the NAIA Hall of Fame. He was also honored as a member of the NAIA 50th Anniversary Basketball Team. Some of Dwight’s favorite stories to tell came from his years playing basketball, and those memories remained special to him throughout his life. Dwight continued his education at West Virginia University, where he earned his graduate degree. While he was proud of his accomplishments on the basketball court, the relationships and memories he made along the way meant even more to him.

Dwight spent 40 years as a teacher, a career he truly loved. Over the years, he taught physical education, shop, and driver’s education, with driver’s education becoming his favorite and the position from which he eventually retired. Teaching was much more than a job to Dwight. He genuinely cared about his students and enjoyed being part of their lives. Throughout his career, he also coached basketball, track, and football and sponsored various school organizations, giving countless students the benefit of his time, encouragement, and guidance.

Dwight never seemed to meet a stranger. He had a way of turning people into friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who asked. He loved being outdoors and had a lifelong love of cowboys and Westerns, especially Gene Autry. He was a cowboy at heart. He enjoyed the simple things in life, but nothing brought him greater happiness than being surrounded by the people he loved.

Above all else, Dwight was a family man. He deeply loved his wife, Cheryl, and his daughter, Amber, and his family remained at the center of his life. He loved his brothers, his nieces and nephews, and his grandnieces and grandnephews. Being together with his family brought him some of his greatest joy.

Even through the difficulties of the final year of his life, Dwight maintained his positive outlook. That spirit was simply part of who he was. He cared deeply about others, valued friendship, loved to laugh and visit, and was always ready to help. The impact he made during his lifetime can be seen not only in his family, but in generations of students, athletes, friends, and others whose lives were better because they knew him.

Dwight is survived by his loving wife, Cheryl Lowe Conaway, and his daughter, Amber Conaway. His surviving brothers are Darrell Conaway and his wife, Alice, and John Conaway. He also leaves his sister-in-law, Kay Acuff.

Dwight also leaves behind his much-loved nieces and nephews and their spouses: Crystal and Jack Murphy, Jeff and Maggie Conaway, JoMarie and Duane Bowers, LeAnne Conaway, Jay and Danelle Conaway, Brian Conaway, and Karen Conaway. His grandnieces and grandnephews, along with his extended family, were also an important part of his life.

Dwight was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Conaway and Mary Shuman Conaway, and his brother, Leon Conaway. He was also preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Patricia Conaway; his parents-in-law, Robert Lowe and Kathleen Oliver Lowe; and his brother-in-law, Alan Acuff.

Dwight leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, but perhaps the best measure of his life is a simple one: he loved people, and people loved him. He was a teacher in the truest sense of the word, a loyal friend, a helping hand, and a devoted family man. For those fortunate enough to have known him, his kindness, humor, generosity, and love of life will not be forgotten.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com.