Richard Dwight Kelly

Rick was born in Amarillo, Texas on July 16, 1946 to Bill and Audrey Kelly. He was the youngest of five siblings in a bustling home. His younger years were filled with love, laughter, music, sports, friends, and most of all, family. Although money was tight, his childhood was idyllic -- the kind portrayed in movies. His father was always a strong quiet presence standing in the back of large family gatherings and Rick was the same. And that is where he really found joy. His brightest moments were always with his kids, nieces and nephews, and ultimately rolling on the floor roughhousing with his own grandkids.

He loved sports and learned his love of basketball in high school playing for the Palo Duro Dons. He was a lifelong fan and was watching this year’s women’s tournament when he passed.

Rick was the first in his immediate family to go to college. He enrolled at Texas Tech in 1964 and immediately met a fun, strong willed, and passionate young woman from Houston named Cathey Smith. Their relationship moved quickly and they married in their Junior year. In 1969, he enlisted in the US Navy where he served as an air traffic controller in Texas and Georgia and then aboard the USS Intrepid in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean.

When Rick was discharged from the Navy, he eagerly returned home to start his family life. Rick and Cathey chose to settle in Amarillo to raise their boys surrounded by their large extended family. He enjoyed construction as a union carpenter, and eventually became a superintendent. He also had his own construction company where he worked with his nephews, sons, and his brother. Weekends were filled with family, chores, boys’ sports, and volunteering at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

In 2003, Rick and Cathey relocated from their beloved Amarillo to Fort Worth to be closer to their boys’ families and to embrace the role of grandparents, which they did with their whole hearts.

Rick is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Russell & Emma Kelly, Ryan & Penny Kelly, Randal & Bernadette Kelly, his grandchildren, Eleanor Kelly, Matthew Kelly, Jessica Nickerson, Abigail Kelly, Savannah Kelly, Tatum Kelly, Madeline Kelly, Mia Kelly, and Owen Kelly, sister-in-law, Wanda Patrick, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Rick is preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sisters, his granddaughter, Megan, and the love of his life, Cathey.

Rick’s family would like to thank a few folks: First, his friends, table-mates, and staff at The Conservatory at Alden Bridge. The Conservatory was truly home for both Rick and Cathey. Next, all of the loving family at St. Luke’s in the Meadow in Fort Worth. You’ve been fantastic colleagues and friends in Christ as well as the most trusted caregivers.

Rick was a strong, quiet, genuinely happy man and he will be sorely missed. We know he is reunited with his love, Cathey, and they are two-stepping to “Amarillo By Morning”.

A memorial service for Richard will be held Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Cashner Funeral Home, 801 Teas Road, Conroe, Texas 77303.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cashnerconroe.com for the Kelly family.