Funeral services celebrating the life of Mr. James Ernest Conn, 80, of Chatham, Louisiana will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 20, 2016 in the chapel of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, Louisiana with Rev. Russell Rhodes and Rev. Werner Aswell officiating with niece Denise Moore speaking. Interment will be held at Choudrant Memorial Cemetery in Choudrant, Louisiana.Mr. Conn was born May 7, 1935 in Jonesboro, LA and passed away February 14, 2016 peacefully at his home in Chatham, LA. He served our country proudly in the U.S. Navy and was an active member in Concord Church in Chatham, LA, where he served for many years in various positions of the church. Mr. Conn was a lifelong Mason and a Barack Shriner. He was also a former police juror in Jackson Parish and he retired from Conn Store in Chatham, LA. Mr. Conn always greeted you with a smile and he loved his family dearly and was very proud of them. He loved to laugh and could tell a tall tale like none other. His sharp witted nature was truly one of a kind. He filled our lives with so much laughter and love. To know Ernest was to know that the love of Christ exists because he showed Christ love in his daily life. He will be greatly missed by all. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlton Conn and Vira Conn Taylor; father and mother-in-law, Iley Barr and Irene Barr Lowery; stepfather-in-law, John Lowery, and two brothers, Jimmy Taylor, Billy Wayne Taylor, and brother-in-law, Bobby Ambrose.Mr. Conn is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jeanette Irene Barr Conn; daughter, Charlene Conn Crocker and husband Terry; sons, Tim Conn and wife Melanie and Mark Conn and wife Debbie; grandsons, Chase Conn and wife Bailie, James Paul Conn and wife Hailey, Heath Crocker, Chase Stafford, and Hunter Stafford and wife, Carrie Lin Stafford; granddaughters, Ginny Crocker Gabb and husband Jade, Stephanie Conn Gaines and husband Bradley, Rachel Conn Smith and husband Brad, Amy Crocker Bonnette and husband Daniel, and Mallorie Stafford. Great grandchildren, Milleigh and Owen Gabb, Mason Gaines, Savannah and Emma Smith, Mabry and Camdyn Conn, Cason and Cadie Beth Conn; brothers, Alwood Conn and wife Blanche, Preston Taylor and wife Gloria, Clyde Taylor, and Jake Taylor and wife Wanda Faye; sister, Linda Sue Taylor Hightower and husband Bob; sister-in-law, Barbara Barr Ambrose George and husband, W.H.; brother-in-law, Gary Barr and wife Lori, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.Pallbearers include Chase Conn, Heath Crocker, James Paul Conn, Chase Stafford, Hunter Stafford, Jade Gabb, Daniel Bonnette, Bradley Gaines and Brad Smith.The family would like to thank all of the staff, nurses and caregivers with hospice care and also, the V.A. hospital of Shreveport for the loving care you gave our father. It will never be forgotten. Also, a special thanks to hospice workers, Ms. Connie and Ms. Krystal for always being there for our father, as well as our mother and for always helping to lift our spirits. We are blessed to have always had parents that lead by example.Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Friday, February 19, 2016 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, LA.