Dr. Walter Kelley

Dr. Walter Paul Kelley was born to Winston D. and Margie Faye Barnett Kelley in Ferris, Texas. He proudly attended private oral school for deaf children and regular public school. He received his B.A from Baylor University at Waco, an M.A from Gallaudet University at Washington D.C. and a PhD from University of Texas at Austin. He was inducted into the Gamma Beta Phi Society, the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the Kappa Delta Phi Honor Society and the Friar Society. His interests were traveling, collecting Native American Indian artwork, and researching Southwest USA native people. He taught deaf students for over 25 years. He lectured on National Native American Indian education, Stabilizing Indigenous Languages, children's' picture books of Deaf Culture and Deaf History. He served as consultant with Southwestern Native American Indian Communities to serve their deaf and hard of hearing tribal members. Dr. Kelly has written 5 books for children of the world to appreciate Deaf Culture. His resume lists numerous positions, memberships and directorships in exceptional organizations serving infants to senior citizens. Of late he wanted to serve again on the American Foundation for the Elderly Deaf, Inc. board. Dr. Kelley dearly loved children. He adopted Tony Landon McGregor. Tony became an accomplished artist and illustrated Dr. Kelley's books. Dr. Kelley dedicated his first book to his mother. Dr. Kelley is survived by Tony L. McGregor, son, a sister Delores Kelley Sonneberg and her husband Walter Sonneberg, Sr., niece Candace Sonneberg Webb and her husband Aaron Webb, nephew Kirk Sonneberg and his wife Bronmin Shuway. Numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great nephews also survive Dr. Kelley. His companion pet dog Roxana looks for him yet. Dr. Kelley is preceded by his parents Winston D. and Margie Faye Barnett Kelley and nephew Walter Sonneberg, Jr. Suggestions to honor Dr. Kelley are memorials to American Foundation for the Elderly Deaf, Inc., Attn: Doug Dittfurth, Sec. Treasurer afed@dittfurth.net or Dr. Walter P. Kelley Scholarship for deaf students will be set up at UT Austin. Scholarship memorials may be sent to Dr. Tony McGregor, TonyMacart@yahoo.com Services honoring Dr. Kelley's legacy will be at Weed-Corley-Fish North Lamar as follows: Friday March 1, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. family and friends viewing; Saturday March 2, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. memorial celebration. Private interment will follow.