January 31 1924 July 10 2019
Kenneth Deloy Kelly January 31, 1924 – July 10, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card| Memorial Donation Kenneth Deloy Kelly, 95, Snyder, died Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Lawton Veteran’s Center where he had resided for a year and a half. A celebration of Kenneth’s life will be from 5 – 7 p.m., Friday, July 18, come and go, at Becker Funeral Home in Snyder. No formal services will be held. Kenneth was born January 31, 1924, in Blair to Lois Mae (Hunt) and Walter Edgar Kelly. He grew up in the sand-hills of the Friendship area with his sister and brother and a passel of cousins. He started school at Pleasant Point and graduated from Friendship. Kenneth joined the US Navy in 1943, during World War II. He served on the USS Shadwell in 1945, headed to Japan. The ship arrived in Tokyo Bay two days after the cessation of hostilities. It was among the first units to enter Tokyo Bay to perform routine occupation duties. He returned stateside in 1946. Kenneth met Priscilla Summers at Craterville Park before shipping out for Japan. She gave him her address and they wrote letters until he arrived back in Oklahoma. They were married on April 25, 1946, and their marriage lasted 73 years. While growing up there weren’t any luxuries – whatever toys they had were made from what was at hand. As a child Kenneth figured out how to make toys out of wood. That began a lifetime of loving art and making things. Kenneth’s love of anything western, animals or nature blended with his woodcarving as he whittled cowboys, Indians, horses, buffalo, humming birds and many others. He estimated he carved and sold about 5,000 walking sticks from aspen trees. His artistic ability also included drawing and painting, and he could play almost any musical instrument by ear. Drawing stayed with him the longest, as he drew caricature pictures for the nurses at the VA Center. He also loved to fish for trout, ride horses and go to rodeos, as well as singing and playing country music. Kenneth and Priscilla managed, and then owned the City Oil Company gas station in Snyder. He also farmed and raised cattle. Early occupations tried out included photography and being a jeweler. Having camped in Colorado and New Mexico for vacation all their married life, after retiring they spent every summer at Fun Valley, Colorado, where many friendships were made. Kenneth is survived by his wife Priscilla, of the home; daughter Dee Ann Richardson and husband Harley, Snyder; three grandchildren: Lu Gene Eyerman and husband Brian, Oklahoma City, Jenny Lee Stouder and companion Clint Block, Snyder, and Rusty Joe Richardson, Snyder; his great-granddaughter Sidney Eleanor Eyerman, Oklahoma City, and step-great-grandson Brian Lee Stouder, Killeen, Texas; his faithful companion Cookie; and many, many friends near and far. Preceding him in death were his parents; infant brother Clovis Vandell, a sister, Helen Lugene and brother Travis Ray. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in his memory to the Snyder Public Library, 613 E Street, Snyder, OK 73566. Print Obituary Sign Guestbook Name: Location: Video: Image: Light A Candle Candle 1 Candle 2 Candle 3 Candle 4 Email: Please keep my message private Personal Message: Personal Message (required) Confirm: Submit Guestbook entry
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kenneth Deloy Kelly January 31 1924 July 10 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Lawton, state: Oklahoma