LeeRoy Joseph Kelly was born in Houston, Texas to Mary Jane (Parmesan) & LeeRoy Kelly. He was raised by his mother, grandparents, uncles, and aunts, on and around his grandfather’s farm in what is now the Post Oak area in Houston.
LeeRoy learned the art of cooking by helping his mother and aunts prepare traditional Italian family meals as a small boy. He incessantly nourished his passion for gourmet cuisine by reading the great chefs and experimenting in the kitchen. His joy of cooking was an expression of love and thoughtfulness. Breaking bread with LeeRoy was a ritual that implied an unspoken bond of family and kinship.
He graduated Saint Thomas High School in Houston where he excelled academically and was President of the Band. He enlisted shortly after graduating and continued to play trumpet for the US Air Force Band during World War II. Upon discharge from the Air Force, LeeRoy earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He earned his M.D. at the University of Texas at Galveston.
Dr. Kelly practiced general surgery in Fort Worth, TX, primarily at All Saints Hospital where he quickly earned the respect and admiration of his fellow physicians. Dr. Kelly was a skilled and compassionate surgeon. He cared for thousands of patients over his 35 years in practice and held a number of leadership roles, including Chief of Surgery. He was a doctor’s doctor, the kind of guy that other physicians would go to for advice, counsel and even surgery when needed. It was at All Saints Hospital where he met and later married his beloved wife, Susan Kelly, a nurse in the Critical Care Area.
After his retirement from surgery, LeeRoy joined Susan in daily operations at the business they co-founded. MetroCare Home Medical still flourishes today by continuing to serve the needs of the community he cared for throughout his adult life.
LeeRoy cherished the time spent at their home in Austin seeing live music, planning celebrations, and watching their family grow over the years. He was an avid reader, food connoisseur, and enjoyed travelling to exotic destinations with Susan and their many friends.
LeeRoy touched so many lives throughout his career as a physician and businessman, but for the family and friends who were engaged in his life, he was so much more. He is our inspiration, strength, wisdom, history, and love. His memory and legacy will endure for generations.
A memorial service in his honor will be announced at a later date.
LeeRoy Kelly is survived by his wife, Susan Kelly; his children, David Kelly, Laura Lilley and husband Danny Lilley, Joan Bailey, Laurie Bachorek and husband James Bachorek; his grandchildren, Lauren Tapply and husband Adam Tapply, Kayla Lilley, Molly Bailey, Sadie Bachorek, and Joseph Bachorek; his niece, Chelsea Lester and husband Bill Lester; grand-niece and nephew, Dakota Luera and Caleb Lester; as well as countless friends, neighbors, colleagues, and coworkers.
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