Roy C. Kelly

A much-loved husband, daddy, uncle, son, brother, and friend; Roy Cornelius Kelly, 57, of Houston, Texas peacefully joined his Lord on Sunday, September 7, 2014 after a 9-month hard-fought struggle with Pancreatic Cancer.

Roy was born in Houston, Texas on April 13, 1957. Roy was lovingly and gently cared for on Hospice by many wonderful nurses, most especially Julie, whom he called a dear friend. Roy loved Jesus and was confident in his salvation. Roy was a dedicated and devoted outdoorsman. He had a special love and heart for children and was called “Uncle Roy” by many, many more children than he was related to. He loved America and was a firm believer in the US Constitution. He loved working in the yard with his wife, and enjoyed gardening, and then canning his home-grown pickles and jalapeños. He enjoyed taking many memorable camping trips and vacations over the years with Helen, Laci and his dearest and closest friends, Dave, Donna, Alison and Ashley Sunderhaft. He loved collecting coins, shopping at Gander Mountain, was an artistic welder, and well-known for his delicious BBQ Ribs.

Roy was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church of Houston, Texas and was very engaged in his daughter’s life as a stay-at-home Dad for the majority of her life. While Laci attended school at St. Mark from pre-school to 8th grade, he lived at school almost as much as her! He was a softball coach, worked on fund-raising teams, was a room-Dad, hosted many field trips, worked in the lunch room and made home-made pies for the annual St. Mark Fall Festival for many years. He was well-loved by many of the children at St. Mark, whom have now grown-up, yet have continued to stay in touch with him. He had a most-special relationship with his nephew Russell Lehmann and enjoyed working with him on vehicles, fishing, building anything they could think of using a welding machine, cutting trees and doing all sorts of “manly” activities together. They spoke almost daily and Roy loved visiting with Russell and being outdoors with him.

Roy is survived by his wife of 32 years, Helen Lehmann Kelly of Houston, his daughter Laci Renee Kelly, and his loyal dog Biggio. Roy was called “Stinker” (with good cause) as a child by his family, nick-named “Conn” by his mother, and lovingly called “Corn-nut” by many of his adult friends. He was a loving brother to Joseph Patrick Kelly Jr. and wife Carolyn, Vonda Jeanne Roberts and husband Howard Sr., William Francis Kelly and wife Tammy, Michael Shawn Kelly, Jeanette Faye Tirey and husband Wayne Sr., and Alan Duane Kelly. Roy is also survived by his mother-in-law Glenda Markert Lehmann and his sister-in-law Sandra Lehmann Brouwer. He was a devoted and much-loved uncle to Katie Newcomer, Howard Roberts Jr., Brandy Roberts, Timothy Kelly, William Kelly Jr., Johnathan Kelly, Michael Kelly Jr., Wayne Tirey Jr., Nicholas Tirey, Russell Lehmann, Katie Brouwer, and Micah Brouwer. He is also survived by more friends than can be acknowledged. He loved them all and befriended so many because of his engaging and loving personality. He was a man’s man and his closest friends were drawn to his country-boy personality.

Roy was preceded in death by his father Joseph Patrick Kelly Sr., his mother Fayona Elois Archer Kelly, his nephew Eric Kelly, his father-in-law Charles Lehmann, his brother-in-law Douglas Lehmann, and his sister-in-law Virginia Hargrave Lehmann.

Family and friends gathered and shared memories at a visitation from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2014, in the sanctuary of St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1515 Hillendahl, also in Houston, with The Reverend Timothy Duerr officiating. Graveside services and interment followed at 2:00 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Cemetery on F.M. 141 in Dime Box, Texas.

Honored to serve as pallbearers were William Kelly, Russell Lehmann, Scott Fletcher, David Sunderhaft, Micah Brouwer, Terry Marburger, Steve Rodriguez, Bobby Robledo, Carlos Reyes, Timothy Kelly and Pastor Ron Lawrenz.

In lieu of sending flowers, the family preferred memorial contributions to the St. Mark Lutheran School Scholarship Fund in memory of Roy C. Kelly in honor of the love he had for all children. You may contribute by calling St. Mark Lutheran Church at (713) 468-2623.

If you wish to contribute by mail, please make your check out to St. Mark Lutheran School Scholarship Fund with a note in the memo section: In Memory of Roy C. Kelly. Mail your check to St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1515 Hillendahl Houston, TX 77055.

You may also contribute online at: http://stmarkhouston.org/

Once on this site, select "gifts" in top green bar then select "online giving"

For those who traveled to the graveside service in Dime Box, Texas, directions were provided as follows: Take IH-10 West to Hwy. 71 towards LaGrange, then 77 through Giddings, to Hwy 21 East (right) towards Caldwell, then right on F.M. 141 to Dime Box, Zip 77853.