Richard Thomas Kelly

Richard (“Dick”) Kelly was born in Independence and grew up in Sugar Creek, MO. He attended De La Salle High School in Kansas City and graduated at the age of 16. He served in the United States Army then returned to school at Rockhurst University. He graduated as an Industrial Engineer and worked 30 years at Armco Steel/Union Wire Rope. After Armco he worked as a bus driver for 25 years across Missouri, Florida and Texas. In 1965, he had the good fortune to marry Betty McKenna Kelly, his true angel on earth. He and Betty shared 4 children. One of Dick’s favorite activities, sometimes on a whim, was to take the kids on vacations to Colorado and Florida. Following retirement, Dick stayed busy with activities that made him happy. He had a tireless love for all things Harley-Davidson and enjoyed owning many over his lifetime. He also had a passion for gun collecting and target shooting, and was a licensed Ham Radio Operator. He could always be found tinkering in the garage and restored multiple vintage cars and trucks to their previous glory. There was nothing Dick couldn’t fix; cars lined up outside his workshop, waiting for his attention made it look like a used-car lot! Above all else, nothing made Dick happier than being with family – at home with his wife, children and grandchildren, enjoying a good steak on the grill, telling stories and making us all laugh. He was a devout husband, devoted father and doting grandfather. His last words were “Hey, Man!” to his grandson, Luke. Very fitting for Dick. We are heartbroken but will do our best to live life as he did, with love, with integrity … a maybe a little mischief.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Glenwood J. and Mary Catherine (Bertoncin) Kelly, and his son, Thomas J. Kelly. He is survived by his wife, Betty, and daughters and sons-in-law: Mary Beth and Jim Joy, Kristy and Philip Neff and Karen and John Braun. He delighted in his six grandchildren, Luke, Gaby, Ella, Alex, Gillian and Augie. He is survived by his siblings, Rosemary Arb, John Kelly and Theresa Morris.

A funeral mass will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,386 N. Castell Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78132 on Monday, June 3rd at 10 AM with a reception to follow in the church hall. Graveside burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery to occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Christus Hospice of Central Texas (www.lhcgroup.com) or Canyon Lake Fire/EMS Station (1074 Scissortail, New Braunfels, TX 78133). These organizations offered tremendous support to the Kelly Family.