Our family is deeply saddened to announce the death of Aaron Kyle Conlee on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Kyle, 47, will remain an important part of our lives, as a devoted husband, loving father, son, brother, uncle and friend. His joy, integrity and commitment to family will forever inspire us all.
Born on November 11, 1974 to Larry and Kathy Conlee, Kyle enjoyed an idyllic childhood in the Chicago suburb of Wheaton, Illinois. As a child, Kyle had good friends, played many sports and always put the needs of his friends and family above himself. He developed his strong work ethic from his parents. Kathy was a dedicated mother with an indomitable spirit. Larry achieved much professional success, mostly notably as Chief Operating Officer of Research in Motion. Always curious and striving to achieve, Kyle set a high standard from an early age for both himself and others.
Kyle was an excellent student, graduating first in his class as a National Merit Scholar at Wheaton North High School in 1993 followed by a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Duke University in 1997.
As a professional, Kyle was known as an intelligent, kind and thorough colleague whose ever-present smile put those around him in a good mood. Kyle began his career as a consultant with Accenture in Chicago where he helped execute operational turnarounds at major retailers. He later pursued his Master in Business Administration in Finance and International Studies at the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University. In 2005, he joined Goldman Sachs as an Investment Banker in its Consumer Goods and Retail practice. It was here Kyle realized his passion for analyzing and problem solving to drive value for his clients while also maximizing their potential through mergers and acquisitions. This realization, along with a desire to spend more time with his family, prompted a move to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where he partnered with Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division to serve as Chief Financial Officer of Drayer Physical Therapy Institute in 2014. Upon the company’s later acquisition, the family moved to San Antonio in 2018 where Kyle took on the role of Chief Financial Officer for Visionworks and was later instrumental in the company’s 2019 sale to VSP Vision Care. He relished the opportunity to celebrate the many professional achievements over a late-night glass of Pappy with a colleague or two.
As successful as he was in his career, Kyle was most gratified by mentoring those who worked with him and for him. Whether it was providing someone with career advice or interviewing a prospective student for Duke University, Kyle was dedicated to giving back to his community.
Kyle loved to be outside and enjoyed nature through fly-fishing, skiing and golfing. He had a keen interest in architecture and history, followed all kinds of sports and was especially fond of the Dallas Cowboys, Crystal Palace, Duke Basketball and the Chicago Cubs. He was always there to commiserate with fellow fans on the latest Dallas Cowboys’ shenanigans. His love for music also led him to many live concerts, most recently at the Moody Theater in Austin.
Above all, Kyle had a love for his family. He filled their lives with unconditional love, warmth and laughter. He always sought to find the best in others and challenged his family to be best version of themselves through perseverance and hard work. His children were his pride and joy. Even after a long day at work, Kyle was always there to help Abigail with her homework or build a Lego set with Henry. He loved to travel and had countless adventures with his wife and children. Although his time with his family was cut unexpectedly short, the profound impact he had in their lives will last forever.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his loving wife, Gabrielle; his children, Abigail and Henry; his father, Larry; his brother, Kevin and his wife Carolyn; his nieces and nephews; and the rest of his family and friends. A celebration of his life was held on April 18, 2022.
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Published by Express-News on May 29, 2022.
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