Richard "Dickie" Vance Kelley

Dickie was born in Tallahassee on May 19, 1947, to George and Myrtle Collins Kelley. His father died when Dickie was 10 years old, but he was very fortunate to have a wonderful male role model in his uncle, Walter Edwards. He taught Dickie to hunt, fish and how to be a gentleman.

Dickie attended elementary school in Tallahassee and at age 15 moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where his step-father was stationed in the U.S. Army. He returned to Tallahassee and attended James S. Richards from where he graduated in 1966. That same year he met the love of his life, Marilyn, and they were married on November 25, 1967. Earlier that year, Dickie had joined the U.S. Army and in December he was sent to Viet Nam.

After his return from Viet Nam, he and Marilyn began their beautiful life of 53 years which included being blessed with a daughter and a son.

Dickie spent his career with the City of Tallahassee and retired as a Chief Dispatcher in the Electric Department. Along the way, he also kept honey bees and sold the honey to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He trained as a taxidermist and had a successful small business which was by word of mouth. He always needed to be busy.

One of the passions of his life was bow hunting in the mountains of Colorado. He would camp out for at least three weeks each year and he made many friends from around the country who also came hunting.

Dickie is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marilyn Nichols Kelley; a daughter, Shannon Lindsey (Charlie), of Tallahassee; a son, Richard (Steven) of Los Angeles, CA; one grandson, Shiver Lindsey; and one granddaughter, Georgia Lindsey, both of Tallahassee. He is also survived by his three brothers, Collins Kelley, Mike Kelley (Angie), Lin Stokes (Kelli); one sister, Rita Stevens (Robert); and nine nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, many uncles, aunts and cousins.

There will be no formal services as Dickie has donated his body to scientific research. A Celebration of Life will be held at the home of Charlie and Shannon Lindsey, 4212 McLeod Drive, on Friday, April 2, 2021, from 5:00 - 8:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Project of Tallahassee, 301 East Tharpe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303 would be appreciated.