Robert “Bob” Kelton Kelly passed away peacefully to enter Heaven’s gate at the age of 89 on October 6, 2024 while at home with family members by his side. It was an early Sunday morning, which was Dad’s favorite time of day when he would prepare to preach the Gospel of Jesus.
Bob was born December 29, 1934 to Roy McKinley Kelly and Fern Elizabeth Chatham Kelly in Sefton Township north of Brownstown, Illinois. Bob’s early life was spent on the farm north of Brownstown, Illinois, helping his dad with all the farming. He sat on the old John Deere many an hour working the fields. In high school he was the president of FFA at Brownstown High School. He played basketball and ran track.
He was a member of Liberty Christian Church and with three other teenage boys and a piano player formed a quartet and would sing at many churches within driving distance.
He attended Lincoln Bible Institute and graduated in 1957. Attended Lincoln Christian College where he earned an MA. He continued his education by attending Lincoln Christian Seminary graduating in 1965 with an MDiv. During his time at LBI he met Shirley Frye and they were married November 25, 1955 in Alton, IL.
Preaching ministries included Arm Prairie Christian Church in Fayette County south of Brownstown Illinois. Alma Christian Church in Alma Illinois. First Christian Church in Collinsville Illinois. Highland Church of Christ in Robinson Illinois. Eastside Church of Christ in Scottsbluff Nebraska. First Christian Church in Norfolk Nebraska. First Christian Church in Fountain Valley California. He also had interim ministries at First Christian Church in Huntington Beach California and Community Christian Church in Apache Junction Arizona. After a 10 year ministry at First Christian Church in Santa Ana California, Bob retired and he and Shirley moved to deep east Texas.
In 1971 Bob accepted a position at Platte Valley Bible College and held positions of NT Professor, Academic Dean, Basketball Coach, Public Relations and Fund Raising. While living in Norfolk Nebraska, he taught courses at Nebraska Christian College. In 1980 he served as President of Intermountain Bible College in Grand Junction Colorado. In 1985 worked for Puget Sound Christian College in Edmonds Washington as Public Relations and Fund Raising.
Bob and Shirley traveled extensively visiting family members as their family grew over the years. Bob was in his element and loved being surrounded by grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always made sure they were in attendance at as many special family functions as they could, such as birthdays, graduations, weddings and family reunions. Every event was to be celebrated!
One of the cherished memories is attending the North American Christian Convention which took place every summer in different cities. Bob didn’t miss many of the conventions. It was a great time of re-connecting with many ministry friends around the country and the world. Our children always complained about how many people we would stop and talk to. Our response to them was, “Be glad you’re not with your Grandpa.”
Golf was a favorite pastime of Bob’s and he enjoyed playing anywhere, anytime with anyone who would tee up the ball with him. In his later years, he and Shirley loved going on cruises with their children and their spouses. He always wanted to go one more time and would ask, “When is our next cruise?”
Surviving are Bob’s loving wife, Shirley, daughter Rebecca (Glen) Richards, son Robert (Barbara) Kelly Jr, son James (Lisa) Kelly, daughter Sandra, and son Kevin (Skip) Kelly. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He is sadly missed by all.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Fern; his sisters Blondelle, Betty, Patricia and brother, Alden. Infant daughter, Chris Ann passed away December 25, 1960, Infant grandson, Devin Kelly November 1987.