Arthur Evrard Kelly

Arthur Evrard Kelly died on September 13, 2010 in Nacogdoches, Texas. He was born March 4, 1920, in Duluth, Minnesota to Arthur and Lida Bothwell Kelly. He moved to Houston in 1948 where he worked, raised his family and played an active part in Houston’s vibrant growth, especially in its Irish community. In 2002 he moved to Galveston to continue to enjoy his retirement and be nearer to his daughter, Christina. In 2007 he moved to Nacogdoches along with Christina and her husband. He was a World War II Veteran, a B-29 airplane commander stationed in Saipan and flew numerous missions over Japan. He retired as a sales representative from Gaylord Container, Crown Zellebach Corporation. Art was a charter member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church. He was a caring, fun-loving dad and grandfather, and always had an Irish twinkle in his eye and a love for conversation. He was a charter member of the Houston chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and his favorite day of the year was St. Patrick’s Day. He was preceded in his death by his wife, Margaret Baker; his daughter, Sue Ann; his brother, George; and his sisters, Jane Smith and Mary Kreidler. He is survived by his son, Arthur Jr. and his wife Anna and granddaughters, Annie and Amy, and his great grandson, Dylan; his son John and his wife Debbie, and granddaughters Kathleen, Lauren, and Allison; his son Michael and his wife Carolyn; and his daughter Christina Best and her husband John, granddaughter Katie Pugliese and her husband Thomas, and a great granddaughter who is named after Grandpa Kelly, Cecilia Kelly Pugliese. He is also survived by his step grandchildren and great grandchildren, Lori and Jonathon Best; Pamela, Larry, and Jackson Dove. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Mary Helen Baker Moss and Barbara Kelly, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves his favorite companion, Maggie, a golden retriever. A special thank you to Bridget, Natalie, and Rachael, the nurses who took care of him at Nacogdoches Medical Center.

Pallbearers will be Wayne O’Brien, John Sullivan, John Best, Jonathon Best, Larry Dove, and Jackson Dove. In lieu of flowers, take an elderly friend or loved one out to dinner just as Dad loved to do. Now to end with Dad’s favorite toast: “Here’s to the birds that fly… May they never lose a feather. And here’s to you and I… May we never die until we have another drink together. Slainte.”

Visitation will be from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, September 15 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, with a vigil service at 7 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Cecilia Catholic Church (11720 Joan of Arc Drive, Houston, 77024) at 11 am on Thursday, September 16. The funeral mass will be followed by a reception to be announced at the mass.

Burial will be in a private service for the family at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, next to his wife and daughter.