Robert Tyrone Kelly

Robert Tyrone Kelly, 80, of Bastrop, Texas, received his eternal wings on January 13, 2023, in Austin, Texas. Bob was born on July 15, 1942, in Austin Texas to Tyrone and Audrey (Miller) Kelly. He was raised in Ft. Davis, TX. Bob met his wife, Sally (Haraway) Kelly, at the Methodist camp in Sacramento NM when they were teens. They dated in college, and shared adventures together for almost 60 years. Bob attended Texas A&M and Sul Ross Universities, where he and his wife performed with a college dance band that played all over west Texas. He followed his dream to become a Naval aviator and got his wings in 1966. During his 20-year Naval career, Bob served in Viet Nam, flew with two flight squadrons, received his bachelor’s degree from the Naval Post Graduate school in Monterrey, California, was the flight deck officer on the USS Coral Sea, attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI, and served with HRMD ending his career at Moffett Field AIMD, where he organized a 50th anniversary Air Show. After retiring from the Navy, Bob and Sally returned to Texas. Bob held jobs in sales, construction, and management. They moved to California to be near family and finish their careers. Returning to Texas again in 2005. Bob has been an active member of several churches and church choirs. He served as an ordained Deacon in the Southern Baptist Church. His last church home was First Baptist Bastrop. Bob is survived by his wife, Sally, his two children Lora (Kelly) King, and David Kelly, his son-in-law M. Kevin King, grandchildren Emma (King)Andrews and spouse Justin Andrews, and Bryant King and spouse Emma (Crosier) King. He had one great-grandchild, Maverick King and one great-grandchild on the way. He also leaves behind two brothers, John W. Kelly and wife Kathy, and Thomas E. Kelly and wife Claudia, a brother-in-law William Haraway and wife Sharon, and sister-in-law Martha (Haraway) Hurta, plus several nieces and nephews Bob was preceded in death by his parents. Bob led a life of adventure, faith, laughter, and love and modeled each of these for his family who will miss him greatly. A memorial service will be held later.