Roll Call Tribute

Clayton Wandell Kelley, Jr. 

September 7, 1942 - November 28, 2024 

Clayton Wandell Kelley, Jr., aged 82, passed away on November 28, 2024, Thanksgiving Day. He was a resident of Deer Park, Texas.

He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was the oldest of two children born to Clayton W. Kelley, Sr. and Jewell Kilgore Kelley on September 7, 1942. He grew up in Plant City, Florida. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1964 and remained in the Army Reserve until 1983 when he was honorably discharged. He then completed his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa. On June 12, 1971, he married the love of his life Ruby Diane Renich. They relocated to College Station where he completed a master’s and then Doctorate in Education from Texas A&M University. They then moved to the Houston area where he taught engineering and drafting at San Jacinto College. He continued to become the Dean of Technical and Vocational Education until his retirement in 2007.

Clay is survived by his three children, Chris Kelley, Andrew Kelley and wife Laura, Erin Ripley and husband Eric. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Jacob, Max and Annalyn Kelley and Elysabeth and Emily Ripley. He spent 13 years lovingly caring for his wife Diane after she was diagnosed with ALS until she went home to be with the Lord. He is also preceded in death by his sister Cecilia Lockhart.

Clay, or Wandell as some knew him, will be remembered by his family and friends as someone who was deeply devoted to his wife and children, and most of all, his love for the Lord. As long as he was able, he was an active member at South Main Baptist Church serving in many different ways from being a Deacon to teaching four-year-old Sunday School and many other ministries. He also was part of the LaPorte Optimist Club. His favorite pastimes involved watching Aggie Football, the Houston Astros and cultivating the garden.

A visitation will be held on December 5, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at South Main Baptist Church, located at 4300 East Sam Houston Pkwy S, Pasadena, TX 77505. The funeral service will follow at the same location from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

A committal will take place on December 5, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm at Grand View Funeral Home & Memorial Park/Bethany Cemetery, 8501 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77505.