Plant City residents know Dr. Timothy Conway III, of Conway & Mathews P.A., for his outstanding dentistry service, which has been a staple in the Plant City community since 1977.
Lesser known is Timothy Conway’s service to his country. The Plant City dentist served in the Florida Army National Guard from 1988 to 2009, where he served as a dentist in the 131st Mobile Army Surgical Hospital and as a lieutenant colonel chief of dentistry for the state of Florida.
“I owed something,” Timothy Conway said of his decision to join the military. “Since I lost a lot of friends [in Vietnam], I owed something back.”
While serving, Timothy Conway was the commander of a unit that received an award. The unit was given accommodations for deploying soldiers to Afghanistan and Iraq.
“The unit got recognition,” Timothy Conway said. “I was extremely proud of my soldiers.”
Even with the recognition, which he never expected, Timothy Conway acknowledged that the military life was not for the faint of heart.
“It’s not for everybody,” he said. “So few people … find time to do their part. They want things to happen, but they’re just not willing to make any sacrifices.”
Timothy Conway isn’t the only one in his family to have served in the military. His wife, Pam Conway, was raised by family members who served in the Army, Coast Guard and Air Force.
The legacy continues in his own bloodline. Timothy Conway’s oldest son, Timothy Conway IV, and his grandson, Timothy Con
way V, have all served their country.
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
When Timothy Conway’s son, Timothy Conway IV, began attending the Naval Academy, he was taught the honor code: not to lie, cheat or steal.
These values are ones that Timothy Conway IV’s father instilled at a young age.
“The honor code is basic to living in our society, we would like to think,” Timothy Conway said.
Timothy Conway also taught his son to be self-sufficient. One of the reasons that Timothy Conway IV made the decision to join the military was because he did not want his father to have to pay for his schooling. Timothy Conway IV got appointments to both West Point and the Naval Academy, eventually choosing the latter.
“I wanted to see the world,” Timothy Conway IV said of his decision to join the Naval Academy.
Timothy Conway IV graduated from Plant City High School in 1984 before he began attending the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
He graduated from the academy in 1988 before being commissioned as an ensign. Among his assignments, Timothy Conway IV served on the USS George Washington, USS Fahrion and USS Halyburton.
Timothy Conway IV served as a branch chief at U.S. Central Command for three years before becoming the branch chief at U.S. Joint Forces Command. He retired in 2008 as a commander and currently lives in Chesapeake, Virginia with his wife, Wanda.
He has many fond memories of his service. Timothy Conway IV moved 13 times due to his job, but always found a family in the military.
“It’s an honorable profession,” Timothy Conway IV said. “It’s hard to be part of the community when moving from place to place, but it’s the people, it’s the camaraderie. [They] take care of each other.”
He said he was especially grateful for the sailors who befriended him, and the Joint Command soldiers he was able to serve with.
Although he is retired from active duty, his oldest son, Timothy Conway V, is just beginning his military career.
“He chose to follow in footsteps close to ours,” Conway IV said. “It’s kinda neat. Each of us chose our own way.”
THE THIRD GENERATION
Timothy Conway V graduated with honors from the University of Virginia this past May with degrees in commerce and Middle Eastern language and literature. He was among the top of his class.
While at school, he served as the university’s Army ROTC cadet executive officer and chief of personnel. Conway also interned at the National Ground Intelligence Center and participated in a multitude of activities, including the Alexander Hamilton Society and Mosby’s Rangers.
“I couldn’t be prouder of his accomplishments to date,” father Timothy Conway IV said.
This summer, Timothy Conway V will go to Fort Benning in Georgia for a course in Infantry Basic Officer Leadership before going to his first unit. He will serve at least four years in combat arms.
“The needs of the military always come first,” his grandfather, Timothy Conway, said.
FAMILY PRIDE
Timothy Conway is pleased his son and and grandson followed in his footsteps and dedicated their lives to their country.
“I’m extremely proud of both of them,” he said.
He wants his children and grandchildren to have health, happiness and self-satisfaction.
Timothy Conway also believes that military women and military wives are an integral part to the nation’s service.
When Timothy Conway IV was in the Navy, he was away at sea for 12 and one half years.
“It was difficult for him not being around his family,” Timothy Conway said. “But it was equally difficult for his wife. The military women and wives deserve credit.”
Due to different locations, the family reunions are somewhat hard to plan. Even so, they just enjoy spending time together.
“We pick a destination and meet there,” Pam Conway said.
The family was most recently together for the youngest Conway’s graduation from the University of Virginia.
But they won’t be apart for long before their next meeting. They’ll be heading to Bradenton for scuba diving lessons on Independence Day.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
