Robert Neal "Bob" Kelly

1932 - 2010

Robert  Neal  "Bob" Kelly obituary, 1932-2010

Robert Neal "Bob" Kelly

1932 - 2010

BORN

1932

DIED

2010

Robert Kelly Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 20, 2010.
ODESSA Robert Neal (Bob) Kelly was born October 16, 1932, to Fred and Johnnie Bailey Kelly in El Dorado, Arkansas.
He went to be with the Lord July 18, 2010, in Odessa, Texas.
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, Texas, and started an oilfield lighting business, Kelly Sales, from 1975 to 1989.
He was a very talented and accomplished musician and songwriter. He played steel guitar from the age of 16 until his passing. He has been inducted into three western swing hall of fames, California, Washington state and 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 and passed his faith on to his children and grandchildren. He had a heart of gold and loved his family very much.
He is preceded in death by his 3-year-old son, Bobby; grandparents; and parents; infant sister; three uncles; and two aunts.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Frances McKinnon Kelly; his daughter, Karen, and her husband Billy Alexander of Odessa; his son Ken Kelly and his wife Terri Crews Kelly of Lufkin, Texas; three grandsons, Blake Alexander, Ryan and Brady Kelly; and three granddaughters, Crystal Alexander, Tara Hail and Sarah Kelly.
The family will receive friends at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors in Odessa on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, from 7 to 9 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas, on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at 2 p.m.
Services entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.

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July 22, 2010

Mildred ( Millie) Grant (Whitley) posted to the memorial.

July 22, 2010

Donna, Vern, Jason Roberts Family posted to the memorial.

July 21, 2010

Tommy Hodges posted to the memorial.

Mildred ( Millie) Grant (Whitley)

July 22, 2010

My deepest sympathy goes out to Frances and their children. I thought Bob a great gentleman.He was always the same every time you saw him. Always had the smile. I saw him quite a bit in the 90's. Sure loved his steel playing. He played with Jody NIX and a friend,Jason Roberts played with Jody too at the time. They had a wonderful sound. Jody always had a good band but it was great with Bob playing that beautiful steel. I know a lot of people loved him.

Donna, Vern, Jason Roberts Family

July 22, 2010

Frances, Ken, and family...our hearts are so saddened to hear of Bob's passing. He was a wonderful musician and a friend to all of our family. He and Jason really did some great pickin' together when they played in Jody's band for the two yrs. that Jason was there. We admired Bob so much for his kindness, love, and talents. He was always smiling, and always made us feel like we were the only ones in the bldg. when talking to us. He will be extremely missed in the western swing world, and we have such good memories of him as a wonderful steelman, Frances selling tapes, T-shirts, etcs., and Ken on drums. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Much love from all the Roberts family.

Tommy Hodges

July 21, 2010

A lot of us lost a good friend, talented steel guitar player, and song writer; Bob Kelly of Odessa. If steel guitars are not in Heaven, I can hardly wait to hear him play the harp. His friendship was always genuine. He will be greatly missed.

David Huffman

July 21, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May God hold all of you close during this time.

July 20, 2010

I have known Bob and Francis for more years than I can count. Bob was one of the sweetest , kindest most gentle man I have ever met. Heaven is definitely a brighter place now that Bob Kelly is there.
My heart goes out to Frances, Ken and Karen and their family.
Denise Boen Cotton (Odessa, Texas)

Cindy (Hodges) Kidd

July 20, 2010

I had the pleasure of knowing Bob all my life. He and his wife have been so wonderful to my family. He will be greatly missed by all of us. Your family will continue to be in my prayers. I love all of you.

Stacey (Hodges) Vogelpohl

July 20, 2010

Your family is in my thoughts and prayers always but especially during this time. I am so sorry for your loss but we can all rejoice because we know that Bob is enjoying himself playing in God's swing band now. He will be greatly missed by us all! Love you all and thinking of you!

Susie Ellison

July 20, 2010

Our hearts are sadden by your death, but not even death can erase all the wonderful memories that fill us with joy and laughter. Our minds tell us that no one is prefect but our hearts know you were as close as it gets. Thank you for loving all of us and know it was returned. Anytime we are down, we will think of "Boonie" and smile.
Love, Susie, Gary, Jodi & Kelli

James Whitmire

July 20, 2010

I had the pleasure to meet Bob this past year. What a great steel player and all around person (that's Jesus shinin' through you Bob). He told me we would play together again and I'm holdin' him to that promise. Save a place for me in that band Bob!!!

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Sign Robert Kelly's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

July 22, 2010

Mildred ( Millie) Grant (Whitley) posted to the memorial.

July 22, 2010

Donna, Vern, Jason Roberts Family posted to the memorial.

July 21, 2010

Tommy Hodges posted to the memorial.