Larry Alvin Kelley, Sr.

Larry Alvin Kelley, Sr. born November 4, 1944, and died Saturday, September 12, 2020, age 75 at his home after a long illness.

He was born in Beaumont, Texas, to Charles and Christeen Kelley and had an older brother Charles Jr., and sister Luma. At a very early age he found his lifelong passion for flight. He described his first remembrance of a plane in flight as a boy watching a U.S. Department of Agriculture plane flying over his Grandparents farm near Call, Texas, inspecting crops. A train trip for a memorial service to honor a B-17 gunner, his Uncle Alvin Barrow and middle namesake lost in World War II. A book from an elementary school library called “Eight Hours to Solo” laid the groundwork for his fascination with flight.

He worked to earn his way, solo’d at age 16 while attending Beaumont High School. In high school he met Wanda Aulbaugh on a blind date. When he picked her up from her home he asked if she wanted to go for a ride. She thought a drive around Beaumont. He drove to Beaumont Municipal Airport and took her on her first flight. Landing at Jefferson County Airport, they ate on the airport at the Sky Chef Cafe. She said Larry had a meal and she had a 7UP. One, flight was new to her and two, she had not told her strict parents of the pending adventure. She returned home safely and told her mother after the first date, she would someday marry him. Larry and Wanda married March 5, 1965. Larry held various aviation jobs and Wanda completed her studies to become a nurse. Jobs and schools lead them to Tulsa, OK, Dallas, TX and back to Beaumont around the birth of a son, Larry, 1967 and later another son, Aaron, 1971. While his passion for aviation continued, he accepted a job in 1967 with Mobil Oil leading to a successful career and eventual retirement in 1995.

Over the years Larry owned several aircraft. Larry, Wanda and the kids would occasionally travel by air to destinations of interest. His passion was shared with his sons, teaching Larry to fly and Aaron working in the airline industry as an early career. While Larry enjoyed the Rocky Mountains and Western U.S., and a particular trip to the Canadian Rockies, most vacations often involved an aviation tangent with trips to aircraft museums, production sites or airshows.

Wanda’s love for him lead Larry to church early in their marriage and to establish his foundation and faith in God. Larry was active in his church serving as a time as a deacon. He was devoted to his family and had an unshakeable faith in God. After retirement he developed a Christian mission outreach of his own design. He did name it, Send the Light, however it was more affectionally known as the bible ministry. Essentially, he would gather dated Sunday School materials and used Bibles from area churches for distribution. He would communicate with missionaries in their own country of residence, package and send materials around the world. He also sent mission outreach efforts in rural United States. He thought it best that people of their own country, spread the word of God.

He often said, we are so blessed with having new Sunday school books and new Bibles, I think there are others that can benefit. He initially corresponded by mail, phone and later email to coordinate deliveries. Long before there was an “app for that.” Over the years he gained a deep appreciation of missionaries and the people they served, all looking to learn more about Christ.

He never cared to be on a stage, in a spotlight or to speak to the masses. In so many ways, he let his actions speak louder than his words. He was a role model for his sons and his family.

The last years of his life were met with struggle with the effects of a series of mini-strokes and Alzheimer’s eventually taking its toll. In the final months of his life his faith remained strong. One appropriate and scripture Larry was fond of is as follows.

2nd Timothy 4:7-8; 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Kelley, Sr. and Christeen Kelley; brother, Charles Kelley Jr.; sister, Luma Coull; and grandson, Ryan Kelley.

He is survived by his loving, caring wife of 55 years, Wanda (Aulbaugh) Kelley, RN retired; son, Aaron Kelley and his wife, Kimberly; grandchildren, Anna and Jonathan; son, Larry Kelley, Jr. and wife, Melissa; grandchild, Michelle Bowen and her husband, Nicholas; and a great- granddaughter, Charlie Mae Bowen.  

A gathering of Mr. Kelley’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with his funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont, conducted by Reverend Rick White and a eulogy from Reverend Kevin McCluskey. His interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, with Aaron Kelley, Larry Kelley, Jr., Jonathan Kelley, Nicholas Bowen, Ronnie Jones, Charles McCracken and Oscar Wilson as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Hardin County Experimental Aviation Association, EAA Chapter 1515.

The family requests in lieu of flowers consider a donation to Christian Fellowship Worship, 3950 Pointe Parkway, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or a preferred charity of your choosing.

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