Robert Kelley was born on February 24, 1941 in Woodland, Louisiana and passed away on April 4, 2016 in Modesto, California, surrounded by his family.
Robert moved to Turlock at the age of nine. He graduated from Turlock High School, Modesto Junior College and California State University, Stanislaus. He was employed as a senior inspector for the Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures, for 30 years.
Robert was drafted into the US Army in November of 1963, serving for two years. He had just begun basic training when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and all soldiers - regardless of their level of training - were issued rifles as American forces went on high alert.
As a young man, Robert turned down a professional baseball contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. As much as he loved to play baseball, he knew that turning baseball into a job would take away the joy of the game, for him.
Robert met the love of his life, Karen Esperum, in 1980. They married on Juneteenth, 1982. He often commented that he wished he had found his Karen earlier in life, so they could love each other longer.
In 1998 Robert was inducted into the Turlock High School Hall of Fame for his basketball and baseball skills. Always a very private man, he was surprised and deeply moved by this unexpected honor.
Titles and position meant very little to Robert. One exception was the title of Grandpa, which he relished. He cherished his grandchildren and will live on forever through them.
Robert and .Karen, "hit the road" in 2005, traveling through many US states and Mexico in their RV. They enjoyed this lifestyle, and returned to the Central Valley each spring to visit their family. Believing they needed to "give back", they served as volunteer park hosts at Stanislaus River Parks for eight seasons. They received Presidential Volunteer Service awards, gold pins and letters of commendation from President Obama for their thousands of hours of volunteer work.
Those years of travel gave Robert a deeper perspective on what's truly important in life. He fished, watched the stars and walked in the sunshine, with the love of his life at his side. His was a life well-lived.
Robert is survived by his devoted wife of 33 years, Karen (Esperum) Kelley; children, Robert Kelley, Allen Kelley, Meredith Kelley and Greg (Debra) Heck; six grandchildren; siblings, Chessella Holloway, Sylvia Coleman, Frieda Coleman and Rita Varble. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also mourn his passing. He was preceded in death by his father, Payton Kelley, mother Ida (Norwood) Coleman, stepfather Edward Coleman, sister, Louise Lee and brothers Eddie Coleman Jr. and Richard Coleman.