Donald Conkey’s Bio – October 2006

Donald Conkey was born on a farm in the thumb area of Michigan in 1927, raised during the depression of the thirties, with Delco electric, no phone, or any of the so called modern conveniences taken for granted today. He missed being drafted into World War II by 10 days but was caught up in the Korean War and served three years with the Army Intelligence Agency, with nearly two years in Japan stationed on Mt Fuji.

    Using the GI Bill Conkey earned his BS in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University in 1958 and became a lobbyist for the dairy industry, first in Florida, then in Georgia, before joining a major producer of agricultural chemicals in 1965. He was medically retired in 1992 following major heart related problems.

    After regaining his health Conkey became known as the family historian, gathering and publishing, or being involved in the publication of nearly 20 family history books, in cooperation with three distant cousins, going back to the early 1600s on several family lines.

    With the encouragement of close friends Conkey organized the opposition to the Georgia lottery in 1992 and was able to unite two groups who opposed the lottery but would not unite their efforts. Conkey was the spokesman for GAG, Georgians Against Gambling, and debated the issues statewide on both radio and TV. His clear concise weekly columns, published in most newspapers statewide, educated the citizens against the dangers of this major issue of gambling then strongly supported by the state's elected leaders. His research and findings have been used in several doctoral theses in recent years.

    In 1981 Conkey was introduced to historian Dr. W. Cleon Skousen and became Skousen's student on the proper role of government as the source of liberty and freedom. Conkey is still associated with Skousen's National Center for Constitutional Studies in Malta, Idaho - www.nccs.net .

    Following a mission for his Church in 1994 and 95 with his wife Joan, in Toronto, Ontario they moved from near Emory University in Atlanta to Woodstock Georgia where he became involved in the local community and in county politics, and began a new career, writing a weekly op/ed column, titled Observations, for the Cherokee Tribune.

    As a result of this second career Conkey was awarded the Liberty Bell Award by the county's leading citizens in 2004.    In 2003 Conkey brought together several others interested in government and organized Citizen Advocates for Constitutional Principles, CACP, ( www.cacp.info ) for the purpose of educating Americans on the Principles of liberty and freedom deeply embedded in America's three Foundational Documents -- the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Their efforts reach worldwide through Conkey's weekly 150 word Constitutional Gems delivered via e-mail.

    Politically involved, Conkey has written a number of tracts on Principles of Good Government, which are used by local, state and national leaders in clarifying when proposed legislation follows Constitutional Principles. His "Toast to the Constitution" is used monthly by local political organizations to open their meetings, following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

    Conkey and his wife raised a large family, including two foster children, and have 30 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren today. Both Conkey and his wife have been active in their Church, with both holding responsible leadership roles for nearly 46 years.