Several years ago Clayton had Christmas dinner at our home.  I asked him what was his favorite Christmas gift was when he was a kid.  He said when he was in the 7th grade he got a football for Christmas.  Well.... he and his brother Virgil got a football.  There wasn't a lot of gifts at Christmas but of all the Christmas' Pop remembers the football.  I loved that.  What kid would say their favorite gift was one they got to share with a brother???  It gave me a glimpse of what we sometimes find "lost" in providing every single thing for kids.  It made me stop and change.  Since then our family as done fewer gifts and instead spent Christmas doing something memorable and meaningful, with less emphasis on tangible gifts. 

I followed up his favorite Christmas gift story with "did you play football?".  He said yes, but he didn't tell his dad.  I had understood his dad to be pretty tough in nature so I asked Pop why he didn't tell him. He said his dad would have worn him out because he didn't want him playing football. You see, according to Pop, his dad, Clay Sr. was afraid of one of his kids getting hurt badly.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  Meaning, at times Clayton could seem gruff but at the heart of him he would go to extremes to keep one of his children or grandchildren from being hurt.

If you could get Pop telling stories about his younger years there were a lot of experiences that showed his heart.  He was from a generation where most men did not express emotion and feelings with words so paying close attention to actions is how to know what he stood for.

The last words I heard Pop say clearly were sung in a song.  I nurse had a connection with him.  She came in and he had not really responded for hours.  She started singing "You are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine". He sang the whole chorus with her and I thought... where is that gruff man?  I think that his moments of gruffness were a disguise all along.

Dad had many attributes, making him a great man.  His influence was very strong with both my brother and I during our formative years growing up in San Antonio.  Daddy was always very concerned about our well being, our safety and that we worked hard to do what was best.  I always felt his wisdom came through in his daily life by understanding what was the best way to operate within the boundaries which God had set up for our lives.  If we chose to take the right path,  Daddy was always ready to recompense the efforts made to be a better son, student, or athelete.  He was devoted to his family in his steadfast work ethic to always being moving in a positive direction.  He was very attentive and alert to the need for our family to be moving in the right direction.  I learned from Daddy a real sense of trying to improve the world,  however small it may be, in purposeful steps.  To this day, I am burdened when things are moving in the right direction,  a leading attribute placed in me by Dad.

I earnest felt a sense of important when Daddy chose the role of defender.  No matter what area of life it may have been,  he was there to defend us as family, as long as what we were doing was forthright.  Daddy honored and exhibited truthfulness in his life.  He was always attentive and alert to the need for honesty in dealing with others.  An attribute that Daddy possessed which, in turn was passed along to me, was a strong sense of love for the land and agriculture.  His overall greatest joy and sense of accomplishment was a passion for working at the K4 Ranch in Belmont, Texas.  He exhibited the same stewardship and creative spirit throughout his life in developing what was an overgrown piece of property into a show place.

Mom passed away in December, 1984.  I recall seeing Daddy endure a level of suffering he never had faced.  It took Daddy a very long time to recover.  And,  I think the Lord was gracious in allowing Daddy to continue his love for the K4 to heal such a tremendous loss.

Dad felt one of the greatest endeavors in life was to know the Lord.  Both he and Mom passed along this belief and as a result profoundly impacted our lives for good.

While we shouldn't have regrets, my only regret would not being able to soften some of the processes Daddy felt with in getting older.  He worked so hard physically outdoors.  I never could invision a day when he couldn't use his beloved Stihl chainsaw!  I remember Daddy being in the hospital his last Christmas,  something he obviously wasn't happy about.  Thank you Lord for healing those challenges.  I'm very thankful that Gary's family could be in Boerne when Daddy passed away.  I was always concerned that something might happen sudden while we were away.  Daddy was a good and faithful servant.  Something I hope to follow in his footsteps.

Clayton had spirit.  The first time I met Clayton was when Caroline and I visited the ranch shortly after we started dating.  Clayton owned a motorcycle (that was appropriately named the Fat Cat) and Caroline wanted to ride it around the ranch.  Clayton insisted that he inspect it and ensure it was safe before we rode it.

Playing the part of the new boyfriend vying for the cute girl’s approval, I raced over to lift the Fat Cat and lend a helping hand.  I will openly admit that as an in-shape, 22 year old, college student I struggled lifting and handling the beast.  I immediately became worried about passing this monster to a “fragile old man.”  Amazingly, Clayton took the machine, tamed the kitty, and flew down the dirt road in one swift motion.  I remember being so impressed with Clayton (and embarrassed with myself) and thinking to myself “I hope I’m half the man he is when I’m his age.” 
 
Pop loved telling jokes, playing games, and watching westerns.  He loved his family and accepted my family as his own.  I’m truly blessed to have known him and to be considered one of his grandchildren.  

- Mark Pfeiffer

My sons and I spent the Saturday night of Labor Day Weekend 2005 at the K-4 ranch. Clayton and I spent hours talking, both in "the house that Clayton built" and in the K-4 Ranch/Bunkhouse.  At the end of the evening, we both agreed that our greatest accomplishments in life were our sons, Gary and Roger Kelly, and Mark and Ben Pfeiffer.   Greg Pfeiffer

Although Clayton is no longer here as a Father and Grandfather,his Spirit is ever so near.His influence will continue to impact those who he loved so much.
I will never forget the last time we saw Clayton at his nursing home,a special,treasured memory for Tom and me.As we took him outside in his wheelchair to a cloudless Texas sky,Clayton soaked up the sun's rays and thanked the Lord for all of His gifts.Clayton thoroughly appreciated Life.He had an acute awareness that the small things truly were the big things.I always saw a kind,virtuous man who always put his family in the center of his life.
The sorrow that we feel for our loss here on Earth is balanced by the joy that Clayton must feel in Heaven holding the hand of his dear Bride,Clara,as they walk the fields of Heaven's ranch.I was blessed beyond measure to have had the privilege of knowing this Magnificent man.

 I will always remember Clayton as my friend.  As all of us, he had good days and bad days, but the good days far outnumbered the bad.  He loved his Ranch, and he spent countless hours improving that land with his two fine sons.  He absolutely adored his entire family.   I love that man, and the entire Kelly clan.  They are just good People that have helped shape my life.  I hope to see Clayton in heaven some day, and maybe we can have some of that banter again.  I ask God to ease everyone’s sorrow over his passing, and hope we have countless days filled with fun memories of Clayton.

As both of my grandfather's have passed, Clatyon was the closest thing I had to one.  I will miss his jokes and wonderful personality, but know he will be with us to celebrate the wonderful years in our family to come.

We were all very proud of my father.  He was such a large presence throughout our lives.  He was my biggest teacher and fan as a boy.  As I grew older, we became golf buddies, hunting buddies and ranch partners.  We were fortunate to have ranch projects throughout his life, right down to his last day with us.  He was a huge part of our girls' lives as they were growing up.  I miss him so, but he will always be with us.  And, his beloved ranch will be a lasting legacy for generations of Kelly's.

Daddy, I love you.

Gary

Mr. Kelly was my manager at Northoowd PA.
We would love to banter back and forth and I loved his sense of humor.   I only knew him for a short time, but thought about him often.
You all must have such wonderful memories of him.  His wife passed away during the time we worked together, he was so devoted to her.
I can only imagine how much he enjoyed his time in the country.  He used to take every Wed. afternoon off and head out, and I knew that was where he was the happiest.   He was very proud of his sons.   We each had our first grandchild while we worked together and loved to compare notes.

Gary & Roger,
I’m sorry for your loss. You’re father was a very kind and supportive person, who touched my life in a special way.  I remember seeing him in the stands at every game we played together, from Jr. High through High School. After the games without fail, he’d always pat me on the back with words of encouragement.  You and your families are in my prayers.

Gary & Roger
Your Dad was so proud of you both and your wonderful families.  He was a true gentleman with a charming smile.
My heart goes out to all the Kelly family.
Love, Kristy

May God Bless the Kelly family as you celebrate Claytons Life and Memories of such a wonderful Man. We are blessed to of known such a kind man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.

OBITUARIO

Clayton M. Kelly

6 noviembre, 1923 – 27 febrero, 2011

Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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