Roger Dale Kelley

Roger ‘Dale’ Kelley was born on October 28, 1956 at St. Francis Hospital in Monroe, LA, to Roger Gerald Kelley and Betty Vickery Kelley.

Monday, September 17, 2023, he took his last breath here on earth and his next breath in Heaven at the age of 66 at St. Francis Hospital in Monroe, LA.  

Dale was ‘born again’ on September 2, 2023 when he totally surrendered his life to Christ.

That’s pretty unique that he took his first and last breath ‘and’ was ‘born again’ all at St. Francis Hospital. Dale was kind to everyone he met, always being kind and humble at heart. His special gift in this life is the fact that he was a friend like no other, a friend that sticks closer than a brother. To know Dale Kelley, was to love Dale Kelley.

He is well known for his random acts of kindness to friends as well as strangers.

Dale graduated from West Monroe High School in 1974. He attended Northeast Louisiana University, now known as ULM and graduated with a bachelor’s degree.

In the late 70s, Dale served as a volunteer assistant to Youth Pastor Kerry Anders at First United Methodist Church in West Monroe. He formed many lifelong friendships that have remained steadfast from this experience of pouring into the youth of that era.

At a very young age, Dale picked up a camera, strapped it around his neck and started following in his dad’s footsteps with the well-known family business, Kelley Photography.  Alongside his dad, mom, and brother, Max, they photographed many weddings, class reunions, and sporting events. Over the years, in addition to taking studio photographs, they went to the area schools and took photos for the yearbooks. Kelley Photography was also the official Photographer for the Kentucky Derby for many years. Dale looked forward to this event every year.

One of his favorite things about this yearly adventure was getting on the plane to take aerial views of the races.  He was also a photographer for Louisiana Downs in Bossier City. He loved the photography business.

Dale was also passionate about music and worked as a DJ many Friday and Saturday nights in the Monroe-West Monroe area during the 1970s and 1980s.  Music was Dale’s life. Anybody that knows him knows this to be true.

Those left to cherish his memories are his vast circle of friends and family whom he loved dearly, one of those being Olivia Wainwright who he referred to as his ‘grand-daughter’ because she captured his heart when she was 2 years old. He has truly been a gift to her as well for the last 14 years.

Dale never met a stranger and he never hesitated to help anyone in their time of need.  Dale was truly one in a million. He gave the word ‘friendship’ a whole new meaning and the love that was felt behind his friendship is what will carry us all through this life until we meet again. 

A Gathering of family and friends will be held at Mulhearn Memorial Park at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 20, 2023, with Toby Shreve and friends officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:30P.M.

Honorary Pallbearers are Jim Halsell, Kerry Anders, Pat Spencer, Tony Bruscato, Stanley Dupuy, Drew Kennedy, Johnny Spells, Kenny Compton, Calvin Woodall, George McMurray, David Crawford, Tim Gallien, Joey Arrowood, Jeff Els, Toby Shreve, and Gabe Shreve.

There are not enough words to express heartfelt gratitude to Toby Shreve, for staying with Dale, day and night from the time he was admitted until he took his last breath. The Shreves took Dale in as part of their family 14 years ago.  Also, a very special ‘thank you’ to the ER staff, the 5th and 7th floor staff of St. Francis Hospital, and to Louisiana Hospice for taking such wonderful care of Dale Kelley during the last 17 days of his life. I know he touched their lives as much as they touched his. He had a way of making everyone smile. The light inside of him brightened everyone around him. Dale Kelley was truly a legend.