Herbert Richard Kelley

I never had a relationship with either of my grandfathers. Without going into it, Herb filled that void for me. It's not that I needed to be around him all the time. But, it sure always made me feel better to see him or even just think about him in his chair watching a ballgame.

Once or twice I told him how hard life seemed and in his own way he would just tell me to "suck it up" - what any good grandfather would say without saying it....

I'm just flat out going to miss him.

Stepfathers of grown children find the grace
To love beneath a banner of their own.
Each is more than friend, though not by blood;
Parent, yet not part of childhood;
Father, yes, in truth, but not in stone.
Arms open ever to our long enbrace,
They give to us what's theirs to give alone:
Hearts unhindered by a child's good,
Ears unhampered by what words we would,
Regard deep rooted in a single tone
shared through fondness for a single face.

Herbie,...

Herb was like a grandpa to our entire family. He tried to act tough but we all knew he was a giant teddy bear. My husband Lance truly enjoyed playing poker with him and Joe, and felt honored to even be invited since he was a youngster. My children Abby and Danner could always count on their ice cream being heated up in the microwave. I guess you could say that our entire family has been truly blessed and spoiled by Herb and his wonderful wife Carol. We will miss him terribly and will...