85R21316 BK-D
By: Darby H.R. No. 1385
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The certain knowledge of a life well lived may
comfort those mourning the loss of Jerry Kelley of Helotes, who
passed away on March 26, 2017, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Jerry Kelley was born on February 17, 1928, in
Christoval to Addie and Grover Kelley; a member of the Greatest
Generation, he grew up helping his family work the cotton fields
during the Depression and went on to enlist in the United States
Navy at the age of 16; he was stationed on the amphibious ship USS
LSM-447 in the Pacific theater of World War II from 1944 to 1946,
and when the United States entered the Korean War in 1950, he
returned to naval service and progressed to the rank of boatswain's
mate third class; on September 25, 1961, he was commissioned an
honorary admiral in the Texas Navy; and
WHEREAS, On his return to civilian life, Mr. Kelley began a
career of nearly three decades with Harte-Hanks Newspapers, where
as the state circulation manager, he was tasked with supervising
the distribution of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times to locations
across South Texas; he relocated in 1963 to serve in this same post
for the San Antonio Express-News, and after seven years on that job,
he was promoted to circulation director at the San Angelo
Standard-Times; and
WHEREAS, In 1975, Mr. Kelley was inspired to make a career
change, and he entered the field of specialty advertising, working
first with his uncle, John Kelley, and later with Howell & Windham
Advertising in Odessa; he continued this work until his retirement
at age 87, and along the way, he earned the respect and loyalty of
clients in many different industries; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kelley shared a rewarding relationship with his
wife of 67 years, Mary, until her passing, and he was the loving
father of three children, Jerry, David, and Kathy; he also had the
joy of becoming a grandfather and great-grandfather many times
over; having worked hard to obtain his GED and to attend Victoria
College, he took great pride in seeing his children and
grandchildren receive college and postgraduate degrees and achieve
success for themselves; among his favorite pastimes were fishing on
the Concho River and the Gulf of Mexico, traveling the highways of
Texas, and sharing with his family and friends stories from days
past, including experiences from his time in the navy; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his lifetime, Jerry Kelley
distinguished himself as a courageous service member, an
accomplished professional, and a caring family man, and he will
long remain a source of inspiration for those he leaves behind; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Jerry Kelley and
extend sincere sympathy to all those who mourn his passing; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Jerry
Kelley.