‘Beacon of light’: Hickory Schools employee dies from COVID-19 Dave Faherty Replay Video A Hickory Public Schools employee died Thursday from COVID-19. Larry Conger, 66, contracted the virus after Christmas and was hospitalized for more than a month. Conger oversaw the maintenance department at Hickory High School. A spokesperson for Hickory Schools said the district is heartbroken over the loss. Hickory- Hickory Schools says it is heartbroken over the death of Larry Conger. The 66-year old was over maintenance at Hickory High. He contracted covid after Christmas and had been hospitalized for more than a month. The story tonight on eyewitness news at five. pic.twitter.com/46IJn9hsKN— Dave Faherty (@FahertyWSOC9) February 4, 2021