ROBERT KELLY

Robert Mulkey Kelly died January 8, 2013, at the age 89. Bob was born on August 29, 1923, in Washington, DC, into a military family. His father (David C. Kelly) was a cavalry officer, eventually moving into ordnance. His Mother (Reva Kelly) was a homemaker and teacher. Bob was called to join the military himself towards the end of World War II while in college. After a distinguished career that included activity in the Philippines during World War II and involvement in the Korean War where he earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Hear, he retired as a Lt. Colonel in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1966.He met the love of his life, Eunice Clough, in high school, and they were married November 27, 1949. After his military retirement, Bob and Eunice remained in Thailand during which he not only financed his three daughters' education at the University of Texas at Austin, but also his and Eunice's Master of Education degrees through the University of Southern California extension program. This meant that at one point he supported the entire family in college at the same time, an amazing achievement. In 1977 Bob accepted a position as a civilian employee for the US Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and after working there for four years he retired again and moved to his beloved El Paso. His last job involved the remodeling of the El Paso historic railroad terminal, of which he was very proud, after which he retired for a third time. During his retirement in El Paso, Bob was involved with the Rotary Club, El Paso Model Railroad Club, Opera Guild, United Methodist Church, and ProMusica. He enjoyed attending lectures at the Center for Lifelong Learning at the University of Texas at El Paso, as well as creative writing classes. In October 2008, he and Eunice moved to the Bridge of Orlando, Florida, an assisted-living center, where he enjoyed himself immensely, winning frequently at bingo just as he had at cards in his Army days. Kind and gallant, Bob charmed residents and attendants alike. He enjoyed the proximity of his oldest daughter, Jean Marie, and her family who live nearby and visited often. He also enjoyed the frequent phone calls from his youngest daughter, Pamela, who lives in Houston. Bob is missed by Eunice Clough Kelly, his great love and wife for 63 years. He is also survived by three daughters (Jean Marie Fuhrman, Kathryn Kelly, and Pamela Allen) and four grandsons (Christopher "Kit" Fuhrman, Eric Fuhrman, James "Kelly" Allen, and Kevin Allen). Bob Kelly was a dynamic person who enjoyed life. No matter where he was stationed, he called El Paso home. He will be greatly missed.