OUTDOOR RETAILERS --  John R. Conley Sr., who founded the Spokane White Elephant Stores 71 years ago, has passed away, The Spokesman-Review has reported today.

He deserves local legend status for creating a business model that started with military surplus before evolving to routinely deliver sportsmen with the best deals on hunting and fishing equipment, not to mention toys for the kids and Expo '74 memorabilia.

At one time, the White Elephant Stores were among the nation's top sellers of Coleman camping products.

The stores have persevered even in the era of big-box and online retailing.  White Elephant Stores were cash-only stores until they finally had to give in to credit cards in 1995.

I remember Conley's voice on the store answering machine giving the hours of operation, noting that "We're open Monday through Saturday, but never on Sunday." 

He was a deeply religious and patriotic man known to give kids that caught his fancy in the store a little U.S. flag, a free ride on the swaying elephant machine or maybe a lucky fish hook.  He had 11 children of his own, and 71 grandchildren.

The stores, which continue to be family-owned, will be closed on July 31 for Conley's memorial service.