Dub Kelly

William “Dub” Kelly Jr., resident of Clear Lake City, Texas, passed away on June 15, 2020 at the age of 91 years. Dub spent a lifetime doing what he passionately loved to do: building a business, supporting and nurturing his family, and playing golf.

Dub was born on January 16, 1929 in Fort Worth, Texas to William Henry Kelly, Sr. and Josephine (McCans) Kelly. He embodied the spirit of the “greatest” generation. His childhood struggles during the Great Depression inspired his love of family and sports. In high school, he received a scholarship to play football at both Ouachita Baptist University and later at North Texas University. He graduated in 1953 with a bachelor of science in physical education and completed his masters degree in physical education and recreation in 1957 at North Texas University. Dub and Wanda have been joyfully married for over 65 years after meeting at a party in Mineola, Texas. Dub also served in the Army during the Korean War, where, among other roles, he played on the baseball team that traveled Texas and entertained the veterans on Texas Army bases.

His life and career have been unique, much like his favorite Frank Sinatra song, “My way.” Dub’s legacy includes the many ways he shaped peoples’ lives. He was a teacher, a coach and an entrepreneur. As a coach for over 20 years, he taught kids about teamwork and resilience and gave them many tools for living their lives richly and fully. Dub and Wanda founded and led a leading Houston home building business, from 1961 to 1997, creating dream homes for many families. He also served on the board of Texas Citizens Bank and was a member of Bay Area Builders Association.

Dub coached Clear Creek High School playoff baseball and lost a game 0-1 to Alvin, who had Nolan Ryan pitching. Dub played at the 2003 Houston Open Pro-Am with Ben Curtis. That year, Ben Curtis won the British open, and Dub said that he taught Ben how to win.

He often said that he “played golf on the days of the week that end in y.” Dub shot his age on a few different occasions in his 70s and 80s. He also liked to tell everyone that he made eight hole-in-ones, “one for each decade he played.” Dub loved to compete at golf; his favorite format was match play. He won many match play and medal play tournaments over his life. He relished playing WOLF with friends at the club and also enjoyed playing team competitions with his golfing friends and strangers in Scrambles. He had a very natural swing and hit the ball consistently in the fairway. He loved to hit woods, and he used to say the 14-club rule referred to the number of woods he could carry. He was able to hit a driver flat off the fairway. Dub had a great short game as well; he was a great putter and chipper and used the same blade-type putter his whole life.

In addition to his active golfing schedule, he liked exercising daily. Even in his 90s, every morning he woke up and did his “routine.” This involved putting on ankle weights, doing steps and balance exercises, and then working out with his BowFlex. At 90, he would make muscles with his arms and say, “don’t put your hand in that vice.” He also liked to mimic his boxing days and throw punches.

Dub had fun every day, and his enthusiasm for life was contagious. A perfect day for Dub was spending time with his family, working out at the YMCA, playing golf with his friends, eating at Jason’s Deli, and watching his favorite TV shows from his recliner: old westerns, Astros baseball, the Texans, and Fox News.

Dub inspired us all with his unique combination of integrity, humor, grace and grit. He had the heart of a champion and overcame many obstacles with a positive attitude. Despite the many storms he weathered, he kept on with his unstoppable determination and discipline. He overcame prostate, kidney, skin and blood cancers. During each challenge, his resilient spirit and the strength gathered from friends and family made him an inspiration to all on how to overcome challenges. He would often say, “it’s all copacetic.” Among his other favorite phrases were “pull yourself up by your bootstraps,” “keep on going,” and “time enough to win.”

Dub is survived by his wife, Wanda; his children Debra Kelly-Ennis and her husband Joseph Nestic; Kathy Howie; William Henry Kelly III (King) and his wife M. Lourdes Fernandez Manzano; and grandchildren Patrick and Ellen. He is also survived by his nieces Jo Holtsman (Bill) and Joy Frazier; nephews Lindsay Stewart Sr (Linda), Larry Rolison, and Robert Rolison; grand nieces and nephews Kelley Holtsman, Dana Fowler, and Lindsay Stuart Jr.; great-great nephews Luke and Ian Fowler; and many others. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Caitlin Howie; siblings Betty Helen Frazier, Hiram Abiff Stewart (Iris), and Vera Rolison (Charles); and nephew Norris Frazier.

In lieu of flowers, please make Tribute Gift Donations to YMCA. https://www.ymcahouston.org/give-form (Select Designation as “EA Smith Family YMCA” and choose gift “Is in memory of Dub Kelly"). If by mail send check to YMCA of Greater Houston P.O. Box 3007, Houston TX 77253 indicating on memo line “in memory of Dub Kelly”.

Dub is buried at Forest Park East Cemetery, 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, Texas 77598.