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Delbert D. Kelley
SAN ANTONIO — Delbert Delaine Kelley was born in East Millsboro, Pa., on July 24, 1939, to C.D. and Edna Miller Kelley. He passed from this life at the age of 70 on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.
Delbert graduated from Miller High School in Corpus Christi in 1957. He attended technical schools and General Motors training schools. He served his country as a Supply Officer in the Army Reserve, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. Delbert was in the automotive business for 27 years with General Motors in Corpus Christi and Clear Lake City. He briefly had his own auto parts store, The Carriage Shoppe, in Kerrville, Texas.
It was in Kerrville where he met the love of his life, Glenna Batley Kelley. They married on Oct. 10, 1973. They made their home in Kerrville until she entered the ministry in 1998. He worked at Mooney Aircraft for 23 years. In 1998, he left full-time employment to support his wife as an itinerant United Methodist preacher. They served churches in Kempner, Ganado/Louise, Johnson City and Junction/London. Delbert was a member of First United Methodist Church of Junction. His church work was extensive over the years as Sunday school teacher, usher, trustee, member of council on ministries, finance committee, administrative council, church van driver and mechanic, and he worked with the youth.
Being an excellent mechanic and handy man, he always was helping others in need with various projects. He never learned to swim, but whitewater rafted on a mission trip to Tennessee.
He was preceded in death by his father, C.D. Kelley; father-in-law, Glenn Batley; sister, Ester Obrecht; and son, Keith Kelley.
He is survived by his wife, Glenna; and two sons and their wives, Brent and Jalyn Kelley of San Antonio Texas, and Barrett and Jennifer Kelley of Rankin Texas; his mother, Edna Kelley Morgan of Brenham, Texas; his sister, Dolores Crawford of Huntsville, Ala.; his sister and brother-in-law, Cheryl and Rick Downes of Brenham, Texas; brothers, Dennis Kelley of Gardendale, Texas, and Darrell Kelley of Kerrville, Texas; grandsons, Brandon, Sean and Daniel Kelley of Rankin Texas; mother-in-law, Alice Batley Earle of Amistad, N.M.; brother-in-law and wife, Rik and Diana Batley of Kerrville; sisters-in-law and their husbands, Teri and Curtis Valentine of Kerrville, Texas, and Lori and Troy Lamb of Encino, N.M.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m., Sept. 26, 2009, at First United Methodist Church in Junction. The Rev. Larry Altman, District Superintendent of the San Angelo District of The United Methodist Church, will preside. Delbert will be eulogized by his longtime friend, the Rev. Harold Sassman of Canyon Lake, Texas.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Junction.
The family invites you to send condolences at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the “Send Condolences” link.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.
Published September 22, 2009
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