Gerald "Gerry" Wayne Kelley

Gerald Wayne Kelley, 77, of Garfield, Arkansas passed away on March 3, 2022 at Kansas City Hospice House. Gerald (Gerry) was born on February 1, 1945 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Harold Gene Kelley and Mary E. (Phillips) Kelley.

Gerry grew up in Wyandotte County, Kansas. He graduated from Washington High School in 1963.

Gerry worked for General Motors for a few years and was an exceptional mechanic, welder, and very knowledgeable of electricity. He was a Jack of all trades.

In 1968, he was accepted into the Pipefitters 5 year apprenticeship program where he learned the skills of the trade. He actually competed and won local and state competitions and went on to compete in the national competitions at Perdue University.

Gerry continued pipefitting for many years. Then in 1989, with his wife Sandy, built, owned and operated Kelley's Grill & Bar in Basehor, Kansas until 1996.

After selling the business, Gerry and Sandy retired and moved down to Beaver Lake in Garfield, AR, where Gerry enjoyed entertaining family and friends.

His passions were NHRA Drag Racing, boating, working on automobiles and race engines. He also enjoyed hunting with his friend Mike Shaver; his stepson and his 3 grandsons. He also spent a lot of time with his granddaughter in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and on the lake.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents Harold G. Kelley and Mary E. Kelley of Wyandotte County, Kansas and his wife Sandra S. Kelley of Garfield, Arkansas.

Survivors include his brother, Harold S. Kelley and his wife Barbara J. Kelley of Olathe, Kansas, and their two children; his brother, David R. Kelley and his wife Cheryl Lynn Kelley of Andrews, NC, and their three children; his stepson, Mark F. Sanchez and his wife Connie J. Sanchez of Lansing, Kansas; grandchildren, Kayla Sanchez, Neal Sanchez, Tanner Bowers, and Austin Bowers; three great grandchildren, Carah Sanchez, Vincent Sanchez and Charlotte Bowers; and several nieces and nephews.

Gerry will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

A private ceremony for family and close friends will be held at Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home. Gerry’s final place of rest will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, 701 N. 94th St., Kansas City, KS 66112. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145; KCHospice.org.