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He was born in Glendale, California on Nov. 21, 1929, to Donald and Jeanette Kelly. They moved to Wichita Falls, Texas before his first birthday, so he considered himself a Texan. He grew up in Wichita Falls and graduated from high school in 1946. In his senior year he met his future wife and best friend, Margaret Roberts. They were married on Dec. 24, 1950 and were married for 62 years, until Margaret’s death in 2013. He attended the University of Nebraska where he attained Phi Beta Kappa honors, then attended the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. As a senior in dental school, he joined the Navy Reserves and was commissioned into the Naval Dental Corps on graduation in 1954. He was stationed with the Fleet Marines in Japan and Hawaii, and his last duty station was the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. It was while in Corpus Christi that he and Margaret decided to settle in Bay City with their growing family. When he left the Navy, Texas was in a 7-year drought, so they looked for a place with green grass, a pretty golf course and no snow. He practiced general dentistry in Bay City for 36 years. During his time in Bay City, he was very involved in the community, serving for many years as a director in the Lion’s Club, and 1 year as president. He also served for 11 years on the BCISD School Board and was President of the Board for 4 years. After stepping down from the board, he represented Matagorda County for 14 years in the Region III Education Service Center. He was a member of the Bay City Chamber of Commerce, and in 1972 was named the Outstanding Citizen of the Year. He was also one of the organizers and directors of the American National Bank in Bay City. An active member and ruling elder of First Presbyterian Church of Bay City, he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and led the mission committee there for many years, and was a delegate to the General Assembly. He was a strong supporter of international medical and dental mission work and took his first month long trip to the Congo in 1970, followed by another month at the Presbyterian Hospital of South Korea, and multiple trips to Haiti and Nicaragua, providing dental care to those in need. He served as a trustee of the Medical Benevolence Foundation for 15 years, supporting their work in Africa and Haiti. Active in his profession, he was a member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, and the 9th District Dental Association where he served as president for a year. In 1989, he was nominated for Dentist of the Year for the Texas Academy of General Dentistry. He was also awarded the honor of Fellow of the American College of Dentistry. Following his retirement from dentistry in 1992, he and Margaret moved a short way up the road to Columbia Lakes, where he enjoyed golf, travel and his 12 grandchildren. Many wonderful memories were made during family gatherings and reunions held there over the years. While living in Columbia Lakes, he became active in Bethel Presbyterian Church in East Columbia, where he served as elder and was very active with the mission work of the church. In 2017 he moved to Lake Jackson where he spent his final years. He is survived by his 4 daughters and sons-in-law, Diane Kelly Spoon, Susan and Jim Everitt, Janice and Eric Smith and Mary and Scooter Goll. He was blessed with 12 grandchildren : Matthew Spoon and wife Stefani, Marcus Spoon and wife Ariana, Jonathan Spoon and wife Shannon, and James Spoon; Michael Everitt and wife Caitlin, and Lauren Everitt Wallander and husband Buck; David Smith and wife Vi, and Ben Smith and fiancée Jemma; Joshua Goll and wife Cayla, Taylor Goll and wife Whitney, and Makenzie and Allison Goll; 19 great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Margaret, his sister Marcia Davidson and her husband John; and by his brother-in-law John Roberts and wife LaJuan. Bob lived a life full of love, laughter, family and friends. He was guided by his strong faith, his love and devotion to his family, and to community service. He was a wonderful role model for his children and grandchildren. On his 90th birthday, his grandchildren were each asked to use one word to describe him. Those words were “loyal”, “present”, “determined”, “honorable”, “inspiring”, “genuine”, “mentor”, “devout”, “devoted”, “tenacious” and “thoughtful”. He was all those things and so much more. The family would like to thank the devoted staff at Sodalis Senior Living who helped care for him the past 4 years, and the staff of Carebuilders, especially Wil. We also are grateful to Enhabit Hospice for their kindness and care in his last few months. If you wish, memorials may be given to Bethel Presbyterian Church, PO Box 817, West Columbia, TX 77486; the Haiti Education Foundation, PO Box 10775 El Dorado, AR 71730; or the charity of your choice. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at Bethel Presbyterian Church on Saturday, August 30th.
Bay City Tribune, July 13, 2025 |
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Margaret Swann Roberts Kelly died peacefully at her home in Columbia Lakes on April 18, 2013, after her ten and a half year battle with Vascular Dementia. She was born September 3, 1931, in Red River County, Texas, to S. W. and Irene Roberts. She grew up and attended school in Wichita Falls, Texas, where she met Robert B. Kelly in high school. They were married on December 24, 1950, and celebrated 62 years together. After attending North Texas State College, she taught elementary school in Nebraska where Bob was attending University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. Margaret and Bob lived in San Diego, Hawaii, and Corpus Christi while serving in the Navy. After the Navy, they settled in Bay City, Texas, where they lived for 37 years and raised their family. Margaret was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served as Sunday School teacher, Deacon, and Elder. In 1993, they moved to Columbia Lakes, where she became an active member of the Bethel Presbyterian Church. She served as an Elder, created beautiful flowerbeds, and delivered many meals and visits. Margaret was blessed with many God given talents. She could cook, paint, sew, consult, listen, create, garden, design, and teach. She will always be remembered for her devotion to family, gracious hospitality, faith in God, service to others, love of children, her Grammy hugs, contagious laugh, & her smile that would light up a room. She is survived by, her husband, Robert B. Kelly, who honored the covenant of their marriage with his unfailing commitment to her care, which is a testimony to their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by, their four daughters and three sons-in-law: Diane Kelly Spoon, Susan and Jim Everitt, Janice and Eric Smith, and Mary and Scooter Goll. They were blessed with 12 grandchildren: Matt Spoon and wife Stefani, Marcus Spoon and fiancé Ariana, Jonathan Spoon and wife Shannon, Jeff Spoon and wife Katie, Michael Everitt, Lauren Everitt, David Smith, Ben Smith, Josh Goll and wife Cayla, Taylor Goll, Allison Goll, and Makenzie Goll and one great-grandchild, Ashlynn Spoon. Other survivors include: her brother John Roberts and wife LaJuan, brother-in-law, John Davidson, uncle Ray Marsh and wife Clothylde, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. The family would like to express our appreciation to Help, Inc., Helping Hands and Hearts Hospice, Angleton Visiting Nurses, and the wonderful caregivers Diane, Melanie, Kay, Ella, Marjorie, and Fallon. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be at 2 p.m., on Sunday, April 21, 2013, at Bethel Presbyterian Church in East Columbia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 817, West Columbia, TX 77486, Haiti Education Foundation, P.O. Box 10775 El Dorado, AR 71730, or Medical Benevolent Foundation, P.O. Box 96877, Washington, D.C. 20077. Bay City Tribune, Wednesday, April 24, 2013 Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham
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Robert
B. Kelly died peacefully on July 4th, 2025 surrounded by loving
family.