Joe was born in Commerce, TX to George Raymond (Ray) Kelly & Maurine Goddard Kelly on Oct 27, 1925.
Upon graduating from Waco High School, he joined the United States Marine Corp during WW II, he was honorably discharged.
He completed his bachelors degree in floriculture at Texas A&M University in 1950.
After graduating, on June 3, 1950, he married Christine Slovak in Waco, TX.
Joe mentored many associates & coworkers during his career. He was a certified nurseryman and voted Oklahoma’s Outstanding Nurseryman of the year in 1989.
Joe is remembered for his love of family, friends, and pets. He enjoyed greeting his furry friends with a “woof, woof, doggity dog” as they strolled past Joe working in the yard.
Funeral: 2 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at Moore Funeral Home Chapel 1219 N Davis Dr, Arlington, TX. Family and friends will be welcomed at the Kelly home following the completion of the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Texas SPCA, Arlington Animal Service, National Defenders of Wildlife or UT Southwestern Medical School Willed Body program.
Joe was proceeded in death by his parents & grandparents, younger brother, John Marvin Kelly & his son Patrick Raymond Kelly (Pat) of Spring, TX.
He is survived by his faithful wife, Chris, their 3 daughters, Barbara Kelly, Catherine Stroup, Carolyn Kelly, Son-In-Law Michael Stroup, Daughter-In-Law Nancy Kelly, grandchildren, Marilyn(Marnie) Kelly, Courtney Wheeler (husband Wesley), Joshua Kelly, Whitney Stroup and great grandchildren Joseph Wayne Sherrill and Luke Wheeler along with numerous sister-in-laws, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews.
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