Garland Lee Kelley, Sr. was born on the snowy morning of January 16, 1936 to Claude Lee and Elva Lea (Bridges) Kelley. He was delivered at their home down from the old Avenue D School where his parents owned Kelley’s Garage in Killeen. Garland was the youngest child with two older sisters; Marie and Claudine.
He graduated from Killeen High School in 1954. Garland was in the Naval Reserve for 8 years.
Garland and JoAnn Jane (Massey) were married on February 18, 1956 and JoAnn was the love of his life for 62 years.
Garland served as a deacon and an elder for 38 years with the church of Christ in Killeen.
If he wasn’t delivering mail for the Killeen/ Fort Hood area, he was working around the Kelley Farm, South of Killeen.
After 37 years, he retired from the United States Postal Service and was a water operator at West Bell County Water Corporation in Killeen for 10 years. He served on West Bell’s board of directors for 31 years.
Garland is survived by his wife JoAnn, children and grandchildren; Lee (Joan) Kelley, Jan (Steve) Dykes, Brandy (Jeramy) Kelley, all of Killeen, Lacey (David) Martin of Morgan’s point, Kyle (Emily) Dykes of Fort Worth and two great grandchildren, Clark William Kelley and Ellie Annette Martin.
Garland went to the Lord on May 24, 2018 in Temple, Texas. A memorial service will be held at the Youngsport Church of Christ on Saturday, June 2, 2018. His body will be laid to rest at Killeen, Memorial Park.
Papa always prayed for the “orphans the world over”. Please consider donating to Abilene Christian Homes, Cherokee Christian Home, Foster Christian Home or the children’s charity of your choice.
