Lawrence Dwain Kelly

Lawrence Dwain Kelly, 89, of Springdale, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Shiloh Nursing and Rehab in Springdale, Arkansas. Born March 27, 1936, in Elm Springs, Arkansas, Dwain was the son of Lawrence Gilbert Kelly and Mary Frances Payne Kelly. Dwain married Judy Garrett in Mount Vernon, Indiana on February 1, 1958, and they went on to have two children, Daniel Kelly of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Martine Williams of Springdale, Arkansas. Following his graduation from Siloam Springs High School, Dwain enlisted in the United States Army before moving to California. Working as a tool and die maker at Aerojet General in California, Dwain moved back to his home state of Arkansas in 1971 to continue his career at EPC Fayetteville. Achieving the rank of Master Sergeant First Class in the Arkansas Army National Guard, Dwain proudly dedicated himself to his country and answered the call to serve in Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991. Following his retirement from EPC and honorable discharge from the National Guard, he joined his brothers in their business, Kelly Brothers Roofing. Dwain was most proud to bear the title of "Papa" when he became a grandfather and lovingly doted on his three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mr. Kelly was also a talented woodworker who loved hiking, fishing, and supporting Arkansas Razorback football to watch his youngest granddaughter, Madeline, as a majorette with the Arkansas Razorback Marching Band. Along with his wife, Judy, Dwain loved to travel and take road trips to destinations including Colorado and New Mexico and even ventured into the great wilderness of Alaska. Dwain was preceded in death by both of his parents, as well as his wife, Judy, and brother Joseph Charles Kelly. He is survived by his two children, Daniel and Martine, his three grandchildren, Meaghan Williams of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Spencer Williams (Ashley) of Whitsett, North Carolina, and Madeline Porter (Jack Ryan) of Springdale, Arkansas, his great-grandchildren, Evie Drumm, Gavin Williams, Nate Williams, Ben Williams, and Sam Williams, as well as his siblings, Paul Steven Kelly and Melinda Jane Reed. Services in remembrance of Dwain will be announced in the coming days