Richard “Dick” W. Kelley, 91, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, August 28, 2013, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, Beaumont. Born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, on November 6, 1921, to Lillian V. Hassinger Kelley and Thomas Edward Kelley, and had been a resident of Beaumont since 1949.
A 1939 graduate from Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia, he then joined the Army Air Corps, becoming a decorated World War II veteran and a member of the Japan invasion force.
Dick was an insurance agent with New York Life Insurance since 1950 and later enjoyed teaching courses at Lamar University about life insurance. He was a member of several clubs and organizations, which include, past president Irish Village Kiwanis Club, past president Beaumont Professional and Businessmen’s Club, past president Serra Club, past Commander Beaumont Power Squadron, past Officer Beaumont Civil Air Patrol, and an early member Beaumont Little Theater Group.
He lived for many years in Kountze, on seventeen acres with several horses, and lots of cats and dogs. During his lifetime, he owned an airplane and sailboat, and enjoyed both. Dick and his friends had a deer lease near Junction where they enjoyed hunting, fishing, and telling tall tales.
Survivors include his brother, Thomas N. Kelley and his wife, Bonnie, of Henderson, Nevada.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Alice Kathryn Keady Kelley; and brother, Gordon E. Kelley.
A gathering of Mr. Kelley’s family and friends will begin 9:30 a.m., with a Memorial Mass celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 3, 2013, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A family committal service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, North Hampton, Massachusetts 01061-0515.
