Robert Wayne Kelly

Robert “Wayne” Kelly

Robert “Wayne” Kelly, TX, passed away on Friday, January 12, 2024, in a Fort Worth hospital, after a seven-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.  It was a battle he fought privately, courageously and with great dignity.

Wayne was born to Preston Kelly and Hazel Ruth (Kelly) Moses in Temple, Texas on August 9, 1950.  Wayne, as he was known to family and friends, grew up in Heidenheimer, TX and attended Academy schools, graduating as 1968 Salutatorian.  Some of his fondest memories were those spent playing pranks, along with his classmates, on his teachers (all of which he respected and admired greatly), participating in sports and excelling in track and football as a fullback, # 35, coached by family friend Coach John Glover. 

Wayne graduated from Temple (Junior) College in 1970 as a member of Phi Theta Kappa and from the University of Texas at Austin in 1971 with a BBA in Finance.  Needless to say, he was a devoted lifelong Longhorn football fan.

He married his high school sweetheart of 51 years, Judy Kay Vittek Kelly, on September 23, 1972, and moved to the Houston metropolitan area, making their home in Spring.  He was a dedicated, devoted and loving husband, father and “Grand Dad”. 

Wayne took tremendous pride in watching his children’s baseball, soccer, football games, swim team competitions, and drill team events.  He enjoyed his large yard in Spring throughout the year and weathered Hurricane Ike with Judy and no electricity for 10 days and then took on Hurricane Harvey by himself.  He had a soft spot for the family cats, Duchess, Snowball, and Bear, but also got a kick from the bunnies wandering into the yard, hand feeding the squirrels that scurried down the pine trees, and the momma cat that adopted him and rewarded him with a litter of kittens including “orange twins”.  He was known for giving nicknames to family members.

His business career included Texas Savings & Loan Examiner for South Texas, Houston National Bank Auditor, Financial Reporting Accountant for both Enterprise Products and Betz Chemical Products, Consolidations Accountant for Midcon Enterprises, and Exchange Analyst for Shell Oil Products.  Prior to retirement, he was a business consultant for Sirius Solutions, working in the Houston area, as well as across the US and Alaska.

He is survived by his wife Judy Kay Kelly, daughter Laura Kelly Martin and husband John Russell Martin of Fort Worth TX, son Brian Patrick Kelly and wife Tiffany Lauren Kelly, grandson Pierce Christian Kelly, and granddaughters Adelyn Brooke Kelly and Ava Lauren Kelly of Midlothian, TX.  He is also survived by his brother Terry Dale Kelly, sister-in-law Marci Anne Janski Kelly of Sugar Land, TX, brother-in-law Alan Youngblood of Penn Valley, California, nephew Sean Michael Kelly and wife Linh of Seabrook, TX and nephew Matthew Wade Kelly and wife Sarah of Plano, TX.  Great-nieces Halley and Hannah and great-nephew Hayden also survive him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Preston Kelly, his mother Hazel Ruth Sagebiel Kelly Moses, and his sister Patricia Anne Youngblood.

Rosary and visitation will be held at Broecker Funeral Home in Salado on Thursday, January 18 from 3 PM to 5 PM.  Funeral mass will be conducted on Friday, January 19 at 1 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Temple with Father Will officiating.

Pallbearers are Brian Patrick Kelly, Terry Dale Kelly, Matthew Wade Kelly, Sean Michael Kelly, Russell Martin, and Edward Bartek.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St Mary’s Catholic Church, Temple, TX, Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, or their charity of choice.

Please sign the guestbook: Broeckerfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Wayne Kelly, please visit our floral store.