Raymond James Conklin

The Honorable Raymond J. Conklin, 64, of Moline, IL, gourmet chef, bread-baker extraordinaire, and master gardener, died Friday, July 4, 2014, at his home, surrounded by his family, after living for nine months with stage-4 cancer. Per Ray’s wishes, his body has been donated to science. There will be memorial services at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline, at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, July 19th. In addition, on Saturday the 19th, family and friends are invited to stop in between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., at the River House Bar & Grill, 1510 River Drive in Moline, to share memories and celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mayo Clinic or Beacon of Hope Hospice. Raymond James Conklin was born in Rockford, IL, on September 17, 1949, to Raymond and Doral (Oskins) Conklin. On September 13, 1986, in Davenport, IA, he married Renee Fallow, who survives. Ray attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota, and received his undergraduate degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He was very proud of the fact that he only missed one point on his LSAT exam to get into law school. He was a partner at Robertson & Conklin Law Offices for many years. In 2004, he was appointed Associate Judge to the 14th Judicial Circuit Court, State of Illinois. He was also appointed to the Illinois Special Supreme Court Advisory Committee for Justice & Mental Health Planning. He held membership in the Illinois Judges Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Rock Island County Bar Association, and the Illinois Association of Drug Court Professionals. Throughout Ray’s life, he was a champion of social justice in both his career as a judge, and his personal life, where he focused on helping those without a voice. He was the first judge and co-founder of the Rock Island County Mental Health Court, and believed that an integrated approach combining the justice system with mental health services was the key to reducing repeat offenders with mental illnesses. Ray was also a great father and husband, and was extremely proud of his three children, Alissa, Aaron, and Matt. He was married for 28 years to the love of his life, Renee, and together they raised two dogs, Kambell and Rebecka (the second loves of his life). He was known for his quick wit, intellect, advocacy, and unique sense of humor. He had friends in all walks of life, swore without limit or shame, and was the toughest softy you could ever meet. Everyone who had the honor to know him will miss him terribly, and his contagious zeal for life will never be forgotten. Survivors include his wife: Renee Conklin of Moline; mother: Doral “Dixie” Simons of Rockford; daughter: Alissa (Miguel Bermeo) Conklin of St. Joseph, MI; son: Matthew (Courtney) Conklin of Bettendorf, IA; stepson: Aaron (Tracy) Klugger of Denver, CO; sister: Cherie Morgan of Rockford; brother: Jon (Denise) Conklin of Rockford; grandson: Lucca Bermeo, and a granddaughter, Hadley Conklin, on the way.

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