Kelly Chadwick

Kelly Dale Chadwick FLOYDADA- Kelly Dale Chadwick, age 82, of Floydada passed away on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013 in Lubbock. Celebration of life Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Floydada. Arrangements are under the care of Moore Rose Funeral Home of Floydada. Interment will be held at Prairie Hill Cemetery at 3 p.m. in Oklahoma. Kelly was born on Jan. 24, 1931 to Joe Womble Chadwick and Eula Barr Chadwick in Olustee, Jackson County, Okla. He graduated Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1954 where he participated in both baseball and basketball. Kelly petitioned the Duke Oklahoma Masonic Lodge and was accepted shortly after his 21st birthday. He successfully completed his 3rd degree and became a Master Mason in 1952. While coaching at Western Texas College, Kelly became a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Valley of Lubbock, Orient of Texas, and Scottish Rite Body of Free Masonry. He was an outstanding high school and college women's basketball coach, winning over 1,000 games during the course of his career, however, he always recognized that his players and teams were responsible for his good fortune. He inspired many young people to be champions in life and to use pride and determination in each daily task. Kelly loved Hot Rods and was a pioneer drag racer. He attended his first and one of our nation's first drag racing events in the summer of 1953 in Santa Anna, California. In 1976, he was inducted into the National Hot Rod Association Hall of Fame. Consequently, in 2008 he was inducted into the Dick Harrell Drag Racing Hall of fame. He received numerous other prestigious awards, and honors over the course of his lifetime. He was nationally known as The Flying Professor because of his teaching background and fast Chevy cars. In 1962 he won the AHRA B-gas class National Championship in his 1932 black Ford Coupe at Green Valley Raceway. In 1964, his altered wheelbase Chevy Chevelle which eventually evolved into Funny Car class was an instant hit. He enjoyed tremendous success with this car, as well as his 1966 Chevy II and 1967 Camaro. In 1969 and 1970 he was captain and series champion of the wildly popular Coca-Cola Cavalcade of Stars troupe of traveling professional race drivers. Kelly was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Trelene Dove Dirickson. He is survived by two children, Denice Chadwick Payne and husband Stan of Floydada, Royce Chadwick of Corpus Christi; four grandchildren, Justin Payne, Jenna Payne, Kasi Chadwick, and Kelsi Chadwick; and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be missed by many. Online Condolences may be made at www.more-rose.com.