Doyle Kelley, 87 years, 4 months, and 17 days old, passed peacefully on May 8, 2024, with his family by his side in Overland Park, Kansas.
He was born Festus Doyle Kelley on December 22, 1936, in Theodosia, Missouri to Luie and Etta Mae (Pellham) Kelley. Doyle grew up in the Theodosia area and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1954. He moved to Wichita, Kansas and worked for Klepper Oil Company while starting a family.
Doyle was a U.S. Army Veteran and served during 1960. After his time in the Army, Doyle joined National life Insurance in Kansas City, Missouri as a District Sales Manager. After several years with National Life, he returned to Wichita when he joined Motorola and made his career as a Regional Sales Manager in government radio communication systems until his retirement.
In October of 1980, Doyle and Claire Corey married, joining their two families.
Doyle and Claire retired to the Ava community to enjoy farming and the joys of being back home in the Ozarks. Doyle was a Christian and a member of the Baptist Church in Ava. Doyle and Claire loved being involved in their church and the community. Doyle also loved having coffee with his friends, catfish fries and had a great sense of humor. Some of his best times were taking his grandkids and then later the great grandkids for a ride on the four wheeler. In addition, a highlight of the year was his annual deer hunting with his sons and grandsons.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Claire; his parents; two brothers, Don and Leon and two infant brothers, Arnold and Eugene; two sisters, Mosoline Shaw and Oveta Clayton.
Doyle is survived by his children, Brad (Helen) Kelley and Jeff (Candace) Kelley; his step children, Randy (Kristen) Corey, Dan (Teri) Corey, Tanya (Steve) Glennon, and Lee (Don) Wadsworth; eleven grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; many nieces; nephews other relatives and friends.
Visitation for Doyle will be Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Missouri. His graveside service will be Friday, May 17, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. in the Ava Cemetery, Ava, Missouri. Officiating will be Pastor Oren Alcorn. Family requests donations to Friend Cemetery, c/o Century Bank, P.O. Box 450, Theodosia, MO 65761.
