Roll Call Tribute

Jere Wayne Kelly

July 3, 1940 - June 26, 2022

Jere Wayne Kelly, 81, of Pleasanton, left this world for a better one on June 26, 2022, leaving this world better than he found it.

Jere was born July 3, 1940, in Shreveport, LA. Jere graduated Pleasanton High School class of 1958. Being the first in his immediate family to attend college, one teacher told Jere he was not college material, but his determined spirit had him attend Texas A&M College. A member of the Corp and the Fighting Texas Aggie Band, Jere graduated in 1962 with a degree in accounting and a commission in the United States Army. He served honorably four years in Fort Benning, GA, Vicenza, Italy, Fort Bragg, NC, and three years in the Army reserve. Jere ended his time of military service as captain. He was offered a promotion but chose to pursue a career allowing him to devote his attention to being a husband and father to his wife and two young sons.

Jere became the general manager of Overhead Garage Door Company of Dallas and later the owner of Overhead Garage Door of Austin from where he retired and moved back to Pleasanton in 2010. He served on the Atascosa County Appraisal Board until his illness.

Jere Kelly was a quiet man of faith but the kind of person everyone listened to when he had a story to tell or advice to give. He knew how to spend a lifetime of quality time with each of his sons fishing, hunting, golfing and camping. For many years he was honored to serve as a hunting guide for wounded veterans.

Jere and Pat were high school sweethearts and leave a legacy of 62 years of marriage. They lived, laughed, loved in a way that inspired their family and friends. Life is a dance, and Jere and Pat could cut a rug with the best of them. From square dancing to two stepping, they will one day stroll across heaven together.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Kelly of Pleasanton, a brother, Roger Kelly and wife, Becky of Lufkin, sons, Wayne Kelly and wife, Vanessa of Corpus Christi, David Kelly and wife Kelli of Blanco. Jere was blessed with five granddaughters, Meagan Robinson and husband Cole, Brook Hanley and husband Clark, Shannon Suire, and husband Andrew, Jessica Blair and husband Robert, and Sloane Kelly. Jere was always happy to share pictures of his great grandchildren of which there are seven greatgrand sons, Landon, Ashmore, Cash, Hugh, Barrett, Conley, and Sullivan and one great-granddaughter Annette. He was brother-inlaw to Betty Smiley, Sandra Bell, and Nora Freemantle and Uncle Jere to a host of nieces, nephews, and their children.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Kelly and father, Earnest Edward Kelly of Pleasanton and mother and father in-law Ruby and Richard Bryant of Pleasanton.

Interment will be at Fort Sam Houston, date yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to www.woundedwarriorproject.org.