Ben 'Bing' Kelly
CLAREMORE, Okla. - Ben
"Bing" Kelly, 64, passed away Thursday (March 27, 2008).
He was born May 25, 1943, in
Caney to Harold Eugene and Marie (Freeman) Kelly.
Ben was reared and educated
near his birthplace in the Caney Valley area. He entered the Air Force at age
17 and served for four years. After receiving an honorable discharge, Ben
worked as a truck driver covering areas including Missouri, Kansas and Ohio.
On June 7, 1980, Ben and
Judith Rae Legge married. They made their first home in Hutchinson and then
Newton before settling in Oologah nine-and-a-half years ago, when Ben took a
new position with Wonder Bread. He retired in 2002 and then was able to devote
more time to his hobbies, which included fishing, particularly for crappie, and
deer hunting as well as visiting with family and friends. Morning gatherings at
the Silver Dollar Café allowed for coffee as well as relaxed visits with his
buddies.
Ben had an outgoing and
social nature and loved practical jokes. He was active in community civic
groups and was involved in the Order of the Eastern Star as past patron in
Chapter 5 in Newton and past master of Blue Lodge in Hutchinson.
Best friend to all of his
large and loving family, Ben is survived by his wife, Judy, of their home in
Oologah; his children, Greggory Kelly of Mound Valley, Keri Workman and
husband, Shawn, of Claremore, and Kim Kelly of Claremore; six grandchildren,
Ben, Jon, Mitchell and Emily Kelly of Mound Valley, Serenity Kelly of Claremore
and Riley Workman of Claremore; siblings, Loren Kelly and wife, Margaret, of
Cape Fair, Mo., Connie Buster of Caney, Bill Kelly and wife, Donna, of
Bartlesville, Okla., Pat Kelly of Ohio, Johnny Kelly and wife, Jeannie, of Bartlesville,
and Kerry McIntosh and husband, Bryan, of Ramona, Okla.; as well as his many
beloved extended family members.
He was preceded in death by
his parents; son, Jeffory Todd Kelly; daughter-in-law, Lisa Kelly;
brother-in-law, John Buster; and sister-in-law, Patsy Kelly.
Friends may visit from noon
to 8 p.m. Monday at Rice Funeral Service in Claremore.
Funeral service will be at 10
a.m. Tuesday at Church of the Nazarene. The Rev. J.J. James will officiate.
Burial will follow at 2 p.m.
at Oglesby Cemetery.
In recognition of the
unparalleled care Ben received at Clarehouse, the family requests memorial
contributions be made to that facility: Clarehouse, 7324 E. 49th Place No. 3,
Tulsa, OK 74145.
