Robert Neal Kelly

Robert Neal (Bob) Kelly was born October 16, 1932 to Fred & Johnnie Bailey Kelly in El Dorado, Arkansas. He went to be with the Lord July 18, 2010 in Odessa , TX. He married the love of his life, Frances, in 1952 in El Dorado.

He served his country from December of 1952 to October of 1954 in Korea. He worked in the oilfield supply business in Palestine and Kilgore, TX and started an oilfield lighting business, Kelly Sales, from 1975 to 1989. He was a very talented & accomplished musician & songwriter. He played steel guitar from the age of 16 until his passing. He has been inducted into 3 western swing hall of fames – California, Washington state & Texas. His family took tremendous pride in his success as a songwriter. Country star George Strait recorded several of his songs among which is “Merry Christmas Strait to You”. Among all of his successes, the things that made his family most proud was the fact that he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of 12 & passed his faith on to his children & grandchildren. He had a heart of gold & loved his family very much.

He is preceded in death by his 3-year- old son, Bobby, grandparents & parents, infant sister, 3 uncles & 2 aunts.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Frances McKinnon Kelly, his daughter, Karen, & her husband, Billy Alexander of Odessa, his son Ken Kelly & his wife Terri Crews Kelly of Lufkin, TX., 3 grandsons, Blake Alexander, Ryan & Brady Kelly & 3 granddaughters, Crystal Alexander, Tara Hail & Sarah Kelly.

The family will receive friends at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors in Odessa on Tuesday, July 20, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church in Odessa, TX. on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 2:00 pm.

Services entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.