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Hugh Kennedy Kelley
October 30, 1922 - February 22, 2026
Posted by: Sharon
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Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory
Hugh Kennedy Kelley
BARTLESVILLE, WASHINGTON CO, OK
(permission granted)
October 30, 1922 - February 22, 2026
Hugh Kennedy Kelley, 103, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on February 22, 2026.
Hugh was born in Towanda, Kansas on October 30, 1922 to Hugh and Minnie Kelley. His father nicknamed all of his children and bestowed Hugh with the nickname Pudge. His family moved to Seminole, OK, where he graduated high school and then started junior college. After high school his family moved to Morris, Oklahoma, where he met his lifelong partner and wife of 76 years, Betty Mitchell Kelley.
In addition to his parents, Hugh was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Kelley; one brother, Gerry Kelley; two sisters, Bea O'Kelley and Deanie Deckard. He is survived by his two sons, Ken Kelley and wife Melanie of Pottsboro, TX and Mark Kelley and wife Sharon of Houston, TX; one daughter, Kathi Ellis and husband Lake of San Antonio, TX; six grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren who all lovingly called him PapaPudge.
Hugh enlisted in the Army Air Corps to fight in WWII. He and Betty were married on June 5, 1944. They were awakened the next morning with shouts in the streets on news of the Allied forces invasion of Normandy, France (aka D-Day). They spent their honeymoon driving across the country to start his military assignment in Walla Walla, Washington. Hugh became a bomber pilot and flew B-24's from a base in Kunming, China. He was a Flying Tiger, part of the 308th division of the Army Air Corps.
After his time in WWII, Hugh & Betty moved to Borger, TX, where he worked for Phillips Petroleum. He later worked at the Okmulgee, OK refinery and then Pasadena. He was called back in service for the Korean War, stationed in Savannah, GA. He flew B-29s during this time and then they returned to Pasadena and Phillips Petroleum. He worked days and spent nights at the University of Houston, where he graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering on the GI Bill. After Pasadena, the family lived in Borger, TX, Bartlesville, OK, Greenville, SC; Spartanburg, SC and then back to Bartlesville. In retirement they enjoyed 25 years in Mission, Texas for half the year. While in Bartlesville the family were active members of First Baptist Bartlesville; enjoying time and travel with Young at Heart in their golden years.
Hugh was a devoted husband and father and generous with his money and time. Above all else, he prioritized his family and God. He was a hard worker but loved to have fun and laugh. Most likely his most famous quote was that "no good deed goes unpunished." But it never deterred him from giving more and always doing the right thing. His second famous quote was, "we have been overly blessed" always recognizing that the Lord had blessed his family.
Once he eclipsed the age of 100, he was asked the secret to reaching that milestone. He told them they had to get to 99 first! His last couple of years were tough with the passing of Betty in 2020, along with more aging issues. But his guide for living a long, full life would have been summarized with 1) Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind, 2) Love your neighbor as yourself, and 3) Honor your mother and father so that your days maybe long.
While he will be missed by his family, they know that he went to a much better place with Jesus calling him home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to charities of the individual's own choosing.
The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. and a funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7th at Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory - Walker Brown Chapel, 4201 Nowata Rd., Bartlesville. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home and Crematory - Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com
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