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Eddie Conway, the oldest living pioneer of Tonto Basin who lived there all his life, passed away at home quietly in his sleep on Sunday afternoon, November 24thwith his family around.
Eddie is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Betty Sue (Fletcher) Conway, Daughter Debbie Sweezy (Chris), grandsons Dax Rhoton, Cutter Rhoton, Troy Locatis, Wyatt Sweezy (Layla), and granddaughters, Traylen Rhoton and Alaina Sweezy, one brother Bill Conway (Penny) and their children and grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his oldest daughter Christie Locatis, his parents, EC and Frances Conway, and two sisters, Jeanne Halmer and Mary Ann Sage.
Born in the Globe hospital, Eddie lived and worked his entire life on the Ranch in Greenback Valley. His early days were spent on the ranch, working cattle as a young boy. He attended Elementary school in Tonto Basin, then his parents enrolled him in Globe for High School. He played football in High School, but continued rodeoing in Junior Rodeos and Amateur Rodeos until he graduated in 1959 and enrolled in College at ASU that fall. He soon decided college was not for him because he wanted to rodeo professionally full time. He struck out on the rodeo trail with just his bull rope in 1959, and began criss-crossing the country and Canada, and the rest is history. From a kid, roping and riding calves and steers, Eddie had one goal—to compete with the best at the big rodeos and make the NFR. His hard work paid off when he became one of the best bull riders in the nation, making two trips to the NFR (professional rodeo’s super bowl) in 1963 and 1964, where only the top 15 in the sport are allowed to compete. He was injured seriously at Canada’s Calgary Stampede in July of 1965, but that didn’t stop him. He hung up his bull rope for the final time after riding several bulls in 1972, mostly in Arizona. Later in life, he picked up a heel rope and began team roping. He found success at this as well, winning buckles, saddles and nice checks. Eddie marveled that he could win more money at a single roping than he did in an entire year of bull riding back in the early 1960s.
Eddie met his wife Betty Sue Fletcher in November, 1964, and married her on December 11, 1965. They moved to the ranch and purchased some of the land and cattle in 1968, giving their operation the name Triangle P Ranch (after one of Eddie’s brands) in Greenback. Unfortunately, drought and low cattle prices caused both Eddie and his wife to work other jobs. He began building firebreaks for the Forest Service, then started his own business with a backhoe, and even signed on as a Gila County Deputy for awhile. He was also well-known for lion hunting and guiding, and had some of the best lion hunting dogs around. He found his niche when he began as an equipment operator, later becoming department foreman for Gila County Highway Dept., working there during the week and working at the ranch on the weekends. He retired in 2002 with 31 years of service in Gila County. Eddie was a fifth generation rancher in Greenback Valley. The land was homesteaded by his ancestors in the late 1800’s and is still owned by the Conway family today. His sixth generation daughter, Debbie, her husband and their children manage the Triangle P Ranch in Greenback.
Eddie battled Alzheimer’s Disease in his 80’s. A Celebration of Eddie’s Life will be held at the Tonto Basin School, in Tonto Basin, AZ on December 14th, 2024 at 12:00 noon, to be followed immediately by a potluck lunch. Bring a dish, stories and memories to share and celebrate our Cowboy’s ride home to Glory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the charity of your choice or to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org
