James Watson Conger, Captain, United States Navy (retired) passed away April 28, 2004 at the age of 84. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne Bennett Helme Conger. He is survived by two children, Dan Conger of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Todd Jancaitis of Mineral, Virginia; four step-children, Anne Helme of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, Bob Helme and wife, Susan, of Paducah, Kentucky, June Helme-Cohen and husband, Ken, of Scarsdale, New York, and Charles "Chip" Helme and wife, Mary, of Clifton, Virginia; fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Born in Akron, Ohio, on November 2, 1919, Conger served his country for thirty years after graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1942. The highlights of his military duties include serving as Executive and Commanding Officers of Attack Squadron VA-35, as Commanding Officer of the USS Duxbury Bay and as Commanding Officer of the USS Wasp when the ship was responsible for the recovery of the Gemini IV astronauts and capsule. He finished his career working for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1972 he retired and moved to central Florida. He swam with Team Orlando until he was 80, continuing the competitive swimming he had excelled in since his youth.

A memorial service will be held at Old Post Chapel, Fort Myer, Virginia, followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, July 8, at 1 p.m. Following, there will be a remembrance for family and friends at the Officers Club. Memorial contributions may be made to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 33104, NAS Pensacola, Florida 32508-3104.

CONGER, ANNE HELME
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/28/1924
DATE OF DEATH: 04/20/2003
DATE OF INTERMENT: 05/28/2003
BURIED AT: SECTION 46  SITE 172
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
WIFE OF CONGER, JAMES WATSON CAPT US NAVY