Doyle Kelley, 87
Graveside services for Doyle Kelley, 87, of Ava, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2024, in the Ava Cemetery with Pastor Oren Alcorn officiating. Visitation for Doyle will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16, 2024, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava.
He died May 8, with his family by his side in Overland Park, Kansas.
He was born as Festus Doyle Kelley on Dec. 22, 1936, in Theodosia, 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, as a district sales manager. After several years with National Life, he returned to Wichita where he joined Motorola and made his career as a regional sales manager in government radio communication systems until his retirement.
In October 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 he had a great sense of humor. Some of his best times were taking his grandkids - and later the great-grandkids - for a ride on the four wheeler. Time spent deer hunting with his sons and grandsons was also a highlight each year.
Doyle is survived by his children: Brad Kelley and spouse Helen and Jeff Kelley and spouse Candace; his stepchildren: Randy Corey and spouse Kristen, Dan Corey and spouse Teri, Tanya Glennon and spouse Steve, and Lee Wadsworth and spouse Don; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; many nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Claire; his parents; two brothers: Don and Leon; two infant brothers: Arnold and Eugene; and two sisters: Mosoline Shaw and Oveta Clayton.
Family requests donations to be made to Friend Cemetery, c/o Century Bank, P.O. Box 450, Theodosia, MO 65761. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.