James Patrick Conaway

James "Skip" Patrick Conaway, 81, of Gurnee, Illinois, formerly of Waukegan, Illinois, passed away on January 20, 2026, in Gurnee, Illinois. He was born on September 3, 1944, the son of James Ann and Elizabeth Ann ( Slagoski) Conaway.

James graduated from Fresno State College with a Bachelor of Arts and Northern Illinois University with a Master of Science. For the major part of his life he worked as a Professor at the College of Lake County for over twenty years. Prior to that, he worked for the State of Illinois as a registered sanitation worker. James served in the Navy during the Cold War- a service he was very proud of. He was also a member of the Veteran Association and Honor Flight Club in Illinois. He attended St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Gurnee, Illinois

James is survived by his brother (Andrea Conaway), his sister-in-law (Jean Conaway), and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and youngest brother.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6401 Gages Lake Rd., Gurnee, Illinois. Burial will follow at Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville, IL.