He never met a stranger, and he loved animals. He had a quiet faith: How he walked through his life of 92 years was his testimony to the world. Daddy was bilingual, speaking French and English. He loved to tell stories passed through the generations of his family. And he would happily sing French folk songs from his childhood to his daughters and people who came across his path.
He enlisted at 17 for service in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a Seaman First Class on the USS Chicago in the Pacific Theater. He survived the demise of the cruiser, which was sunk by Japanese aerial torpedoes in the Battle of Rennell Island, in the Solomon Islands, on January 30, 1943.
After the War ended, he settled in Dallas. Soon after, he met and fell in love with the girl next door, Louise Spencer. They married November 23, 1946. “Papaw” and “Memaw” were blessed with 70 happy years together, and two lovely daughters.
He was a successful insurance broker for nearly 50 years. He loved to walk folks through their wants and needs to help them plan for their futures. He treated each customer with respect and care.
A hero and patriot, Kelly loved to travel for years to numerous cities with his beloved wife Louise to attend Navy reunions. In 2013, he was a passenger on one of Honor Flight DFW’s trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and other memorials. “Pappy” was accompanied by his daughter, Kellyena.
Kelly was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Annie (Monet) Coutée. The fifth of five children, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Willie Coutée, Sue Sullivan, Simon Coutée, and Cora LaCour.
He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Louise Spencer Coutée; his cherished daughters and sons-in-law, LaWanda Ann Gentry (Clark) and Kellyena Aline Coutée Tipton (Lee Tipton); grandson Matthew Dane Gentry; great-grandsons Kade Gentry and Dane Gentry; and dear friends Judy Ernst, Janie Allen and Traci Warren; as well as many extended family and friends.
A Memorial Service celebrating Kelly’s life will be held Monday, July 17, 2017, at 11:30 A.M. at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211. If you plan to attend, the cemetery requests that you be there no later than 11:00. Attendees will meet at the Information Building near the main entrance of the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to be made to SPCA of Texas, 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, Texas 75212. 214-742-7722. www.spca.org
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