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Richard Kelley Obituary
Kelley, a retired salesman, had been in declining health in recent weeks, and the former president visited him Monday.
Kitty Koonce, a caregiver who answered the phone at Kelley's home Wednesday evening, said Kelley died about 5:45 p.m. He had cancer, said two sources close to the Clinton family who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Kelley ran a food brokerage business for many years in Little Rock before retiring in 1992. He met Clinton's mother at a horse racing track, and they married in 1982. It was his second marriage and her fourth.
At the time, Clinton was preparing for a campaign to regain the Arkansas governor's office.
"I would come to love Dick Kelley and grow ever more grateful for the happiness he brought Mother, and me," Clinton wrote in his memoir, "My Life."
Kelley became one of Clinton's favorite golf companions. "Well into his eighties, when he played his handicap and I played mine, he beat me more than half the time," Clinton wrote.
Kelley also cherished the former president, referring to him as "my best friend."
"When you meet the president, he'll just make you feel like you're the most important person in the room," Kelley once told The Associated Press.
"He's just a regular guy and if you're playing cards or playing golf with him, you'd see that," he said.
When playing golf with Clinton, "I'm just out there with a friend," Kelley said. "We don't give him any special consideration. Sometimes he hits an extra ball for practice. And we joke, 'Well, which one of those are you going to play? Whatever you say, Mr. President."'
During Clinton's presidency, Kelley seemed comfortable in the shadows of his stepson. The Kelleys were married 12 years before she died Jan. 6, 1994, after a battle with breast cancer.
Even after her death, Kelley promoted his wife's autobiography, "Leading With My Heart," appearing on national television and autographing books. In a newspaper interview, he said he was content to promote the book for one reason: "I have fond memories of Virginia and I know she'd want me to do this."
The couple were tireless campaigners for Clinton and spent the night of his first inauguration in 1993 in the Queen's Bedroom, the White House room where Winston Churchill always slept.
The former president will speak at Kelley's funeral Saturday, according to the Rev. John Miles. The service is set for 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Hot Springs.
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press
86 Entries
John Gorra
April 20, 2007
I just learned of your loss. My sympathies. Both my grandmothers found found men later in their lives that brought them much happiness. It sounds like Richard Kelly brought this to your mother. Having lost both my parents after a wonderfull and long relationship I know your sense of loss. Again my sympathies.
Vicki and John Robison
February 9, 2007
I'm sorry for your loss. We are praying for u.
Judy Goad
February 5, 2007
Had the opportunity to meet him and get aquainted with both he and his precious wife Virginia. I have pictures that are filled with great memories. Wonderful people.
adam mahowald
February 5, 2007
god bless you,sorry 4 your lost
How you can show support
The Seeley Family
February 5, 2007
Former President Clinton, Senator Clinton and Chelsea May GOD be with you during your time of sorrow. Families are a precious thing. Keep those memories close.
alan arndt
February 5, 2007
so sorry for your lost,god bless you all..
Dale Harding
February 4, 2007
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of Mr Kelley and would like to express my deepest sympathy to his family.
Elizabeth Kamm
February 4, 2007
We are very sorry for your loss.
Malcolm Windsor
February 4, 2007
I am humbled, yet proud to have been selected as part of the Navy Honor Guard for Petty Officer Kelly's Graveside Ceremony. May God bless your family. Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate!
Boatswains Mate Chief Malcolm Windsor,
U.S. Navy Reserves
A Mason
February 4, 2007
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
dee sheehan
February 3, 2007
my heart goes out to you president clinton in the loss of your stepdad,richard kelley. his picture looks as tho he would be a special guy. God Rest His Soul.
Joe and Joyce Reid
February 3, 2007
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY MR PRESIDENT CLINTON & FAMILY OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU IN YOUR TIME OF GRIEF. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Andrina Charles
February 3, 2007
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
Alexandrea & Sharon Hancock
February 3, 2007
To The Clinton Family, May the peace of God be with you at this time.Our prayers are with you.Thanks for having been such a great President & your leadership for our great country.I am sure you step-father was proud as well
Julia
February 3, 2007
President Clinton,Senator Hillary, Chelsea and the entire Kelly family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
LMR
February 3, 2007
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
janie banks
February 3, 2007
to president clinton and family god will take of you and your family because you are suuh a good person
Corey Jackson
February 3, 2007
Dear Beloved Family,
May you know Dick is in a better place and with Virgina. As the bible says heaven is a much better place than down here on earth. May you ALL know Dick is not suffering from colon cancer anymore! May God Bless you all! P.S. Hillary I hope you become the president.
The Spodnik Family
February 3, 2007
Dear Mr.President, Mrs. Clinton and The Kelley Family,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
The McCoy Family MSGT Anthony W. (USAF), Sally and Patrick
February 3, 2007
President Clinton, Senator Hillary and Chelsea. May the memories of your "Father", Grandfather, Golf Partner, "card partner" and "Best Friend" bring you peace during this difficult time. Mr. Kelley is now free from pain, and reunited with his beloved wife. May the Perpetual Light of our Lord shine upon him now and forever, AMEN. God Bless you all.
Connie Benedict
February 3, 2007
To all the family of Richard Kelly, May God bless you and keep you strong during this time of sorrow. You will be in my prayers.
Betty Cowan
February 3, 2007
So sorry about one of the greatest losses you and your family will ever have in your's lives--Lossing a family member is someting that you never get over--not even in time-it just gets easier knowing that your loved one is up in Heaven with GOD and he is watching over his family from there--Know one is ever really gone as long as they are remember in our hearts--they are always with us until we see them again in Heaven...God Bless you and your family
George Szymanski
February 3, 2007
President and Mrs. Clinton, Chelsea, and the entire Kelley family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.
A. White
February 3, 2007
To President Clinton and his family,
I would like to send my deepest condolences on losing your loved one. His guidance, joy and love he shared with you and all who knew him, I sure will always be remembered and cherished. I know it's not easy knowing that today Richard is no longer with you but Jehovah God promises through his word the Bible at Isaiah 26:19 and Daniel 12:2 that all of us will have a chance to see our loved ones again. I hope these scriptures will be of some comfort at this difficult time.
James and Joyce Ratliff
February 3, 2007
Dear President and Mrs. Clinton and Chelsie
Our hearts go out to you and your family. I am sure Mr.Kelley was as proud of you as we are to this day.We are sure he also wishes as we do that you were still our president and hopes very much that Mrs. H Clinton will be our next president. May God walk with you all through this time, may God bless you Mr. President as I am sure you blessed Mr. Kelley.
Praying for you all,
Blanca Olivas
February 3, 2007
President Bill Clinton and extended
family. May God give you the strengh to help each one of you to get through your pain.
God bless you, your family and the kelly family...My prayers are with you.
Respectfully,
Blanca A. Olivas
A Former AND FUTURE CLINTON VOTER
February 2, 2007
Dear President Clinton, Mrs. Clinton and Chelsea,
My Deepest Sympathy.
Thomas Graham
February 2, 2007
May God Bless the Clinton family during this time of saddness.
Jane Green
February 2, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Anonymous
February 2, 2007
What a wonderful man he must have been!
Not too many men take the responsibility for raising someone else's sons into the men that they eventually become.
Mr. Kelley gladly took that responsibility and one of the little boys he raised became President of the United States!
He cared.
He was special and I am sure that he will be missed very,very much by his family and all who knew him.
God bless those he leaves behind to go to his well-deserved reward!
Laverne Brown
February 2, 2007
Sorry about your loss.
Karen Glenn
February 2, 2007
It is never easy to lose someone who imprints on your heart and soul. My thoughts are with you and your family.
You will always carry a piece of his spirit with you, and in this way his legacy will carry on for generations to come. God Bless.
Jim Daly
February 2, 2007
A great fisherman,a gentleman, and good man. Godspeed Dick Kelly.
BELINDA BROWN
February 2, 2007
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO MY PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE FIRST
LADY ,AND THE KELLEY FAMILY.AND FIRST LADY I AM PRAYING FOR YOU TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT.BE BLESS
Ruth Wilson
February 2, 2007
Dear President Bill Clinton and Family..
My prayers are with you in the loss of your loved one..
I am so glad you got to have the visit with your stepdad just a few days before his passing..
Cherish the sweet memories YOU shared together..
delores james
February 2, 2007
rest in peace
Wilma VanHouten
February 2, 2007
God Bless the Kelley Children and the Clinton family ,
Billie Adams
February 2, 2007
President Bill Clinton and extended familes. I want to offer my condolences to you.
May God Bless you through these trying times. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Billie Adams orig from LeFlore Co. OK.
Jeanette Burrell
February 2, 2007
Sorry to hear of your lost Mr. Clinton, I pray for the family and keep your hands in God's hands and he will keep the family strong during this time.
Roxann Norman
February 2, 2007
"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord"
To President and Mrs. Clinton and the Kelley Family: My heart goes out to you on your loss. It is always hard to lose a loved one, but we know that the Lord makes no mistakes.
In the quiet moments when the hurt is hard to bear, may Love become your shelter and the beauty of precious memories be your comfort.
The road ahead may seem longer, but let Faith take you by the hand and guide you through the difficult times…Remember, this too shall pass.
A Fan of President Clinton
Diana Doherty-Wilson
February 2, 2007
My heart is with you and your family at this difficult time. Stay strong.
Griffin Wilson
February 2, 2007
My thoughts and prayers to the family.
Mick Gnavi
February 2, 2007
Dick: Your warmth and good cheer were contagious. It was an honor and a sincere pleasure knowing you. You touched so many lives in
positive ways. I raise an absolute to a fine gentleman, and a long and happy life. Goodbye dear friend.
Mick Gnavi (collinsville, Illinois)
Robin Wolbert
February 2, 2007
My deepist sympathy to you and your familys!
February 2, 2007
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO PRESIDENT AND MRS. CLINTON,AND THE KELLEY FAMILY. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,MAY THE MEMORIES OF YOUR LOVE ONE FOREVER KEEP A SMILE ON YOUR FACE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU. THE JOHNSON FAMILY JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA
JOHN & EILEEN HENDLMYER
February 2, 2007
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY MR PRESIDENT CLINTON & FAMILY OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU IN YOUR TIME OF GRIEF. GOD BLESS .
Harold & Norma Melges
February 2, 2007
President and Mrs. Clinton, Chelsea, and the entire Kelley family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God continue to walk with you through this time of sorrow.
Norma and Buzz Melges
FAYE AND GEORGE WILLIAMS
February 2, 2007
TO PRESIDENT CLINTON AND FAMILY:
MAY YOUR HEARTS SOON BE FILLED WITH
MEMORIES OF JOYFUL TIMES TOGETHER AS
YOU CELEBRATE A LIFE WELL LIVED.
Brenda W. Benton
February 2, 2007
The Richard Kelley Family,
As you celebrate his life not his passing. May you hearts be filled with the most heartwarming, and the fondest of memories full of love and laughter.
With Sympathy, Brenda W. Benton
Peggy Totten
February 1, 2007
To: President Clinton & Family
May God bless you and your family and keep you in perfect peace, earth knows no sorrow that heaven can not bear..
Elinor & Leon Horton
February 1, 2007
God bless you and your family Mr. Bill Clinton. We are sorry for your sorrow.
Peggy Hale
February 1, 2007
Mr. President and family,I was so sorry to hear of the death of Mr.Kelley.I'm sure Mr.Kelley was so proud of you, and he should have been. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May your good memories of him bring you comfort. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS! Peggy Hale Hartwell,Georgia
February 1, 2007
Mr. President,
with heartfelt sympathy and deepest respect. I am sure that Richard Kelley was as proud of you, as our country is. God Bless America
Leo & Dee Himmel
February 1, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
S. Deloatch
February 1, 2007
My condolences Mr. Clinton and
family.
Douglas W. Campbell
February 1, 2007
The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief.
Norma Fisher
February 1, 2007
Condolences to the Clinton Family.My Prayers are with you and family.
Torin Williams-Thomas
February 1, 2007
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Richard & Regina Brown
February 1, 2007
To the family of Richard Kelley:
May the Lord keep you in your time of sorrow. Mr. Kelley must have been a wonderful man. Our prayers are with him and you at this time.
hilnore walker
February 1, 2007
My dear Mr. President:
I send my deepest sympathy to you and your family for the loss of your stepfather and friend, Mr. Richard Kelley. May God continue to bless you and strengthen you during this period of sorrow.
La'Tonya Brittman
February 1, 2007
to Mr.Clinton and your family my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family..may god bless you..
Linda & Kody (in Spirit) Graham
February 1, 2007
If my son, Kody were still with us, I know he would want to write something about Mr. Kelley. One of the things that Kody used to enjoy about Dick was when he would make those silly birds out of the cloth dinner napkins. I don't think Kody ever figured out how Dick did that. Just one of those fond memories of our time with Dick.
Robin & Al Breitenbach
February 1, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
MR. MRS. ARTHUR WEAVER
February 1, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Etta Sawyer
February 1, 2007
What a joy to know that ones love for life can lift so many souls!
LIZ SALDANA
February 1, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Tiffany Koehler
February 1, 2007
May God's love lead you to comfort and peace during this time of saying..."Bye for now."
Sharon Taylor
February 1, 2007
To The Honorable Bill Clinton and Family,
It is with great honor that I have the opportunity to sign the guest book for Mr. Richard Kelley.
My deepest sympathy is extended to the entire family as I know expressions of sympathy is what help us get through times like this; I, too, recently lost a loved one, my husband. I said a special prayer today for the family and want you to know that you can now rejoice in Mr. Kelley's happiness as he is now with the LORD---and we all know there's no better place...
Betty Daly
February 1, 2007
Good bye dear, gentle, fun loving friend. All trips to Hot Springs were special because of you. Great loss to family and all who were fortunate to be part of your life We will treasure the memories. Deepest sympathy to all your family. Rest well dear friend.
Betty Daly and Mick Gnavi
Collinsville, IL
Linda Graham
February 1, 2007
Oh so many fond memories. Too many to know where to start. Dick gave his love and his friendship unconditionally, that is what made him so special and dear to my heart. I will miss him more than life itself. And in my heart I know that he will be the King of the 19th Hole on the "Other Side".
doris thomas
February 1, 2007
may God bless you and your family during this time. cherish all of your fond memories.........
D.L. ZIMMERMAN
February 1, 2007
REST IN PEACE
Erica Saunders
February 1, 2007
to the kelly and Clinton family's, my deepest sadness to the loss of a good person thou I never knew him. we all know his step sone whome I voted for and will vote again for his wife.thoughs and prayers are with you at this time
David A. Burgoyne
January 31, 2007
Please accept my prayers.
Jackie Clark
January 31, 2007
I offer my sympathies to your family. The Bible promises a "New Heaven and a New Earth where only rightousness will dwell.(2 Peter 3:13)
Roland Cohen
January 31, 2007
To the family you have my sympathy
Samantha Sherman
January 31, 2007
My deepest sympathies to President and Mrs Clinton and The Kelley Children. Your father was a very kind man and always made me smile when he came into our families store. I will treasure our photo's. And our times at the track when we borrowed his box.
Larry and Betty Bowen
January 31, 2007
Goodbye our old friend. We will miss you.
Cynthia Sherman
January 31, 2007
A memory: This is a man who everytime he called on the phone or came into our flower shop he lit up the room. Even when he was not well he still smiled. He could call to order or send a check to pay but he always took the time to stop by just to say hello. He calmed my 4 year olds cries when we were trying to try on a pageant dress when her grandpa was unable to be there because he was in the hospital. Made her smile and held her to reassure her that her grandpa and his friend were going to be okay. Thak you for many memories. I know that Samantha had a special place in Virginia's heart but Dick made sure that he made her feel loved even when Virginia was gone. He like Virginia will be missed. I will always be grateful to such an unselfish man.
alma renner
January 31, 2007
dear president clinton and family-
my deepest sympathy for the loss of your stepfather richard kelley
may you find comfort and peace knowing that God will take care.
God bless you and the family
sincerely,
ms.alma renner
6530 40th avenue
sacramento california 95824-2020
Carolyn Stinchcomb Barnes
January 31, 2007
Mr. Clinton you and your family will remain in my prayers. Great losses leave for great memories. . . May your good memories sustain you through this loss.
Carolyn Stinchcomb Barnes
January 31, 2007
Dear Mr. Clinton, You and your family will remain in my prayers. Great losses leave for great memories. . . May your good memories sustain you through this loss.
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