Ronald Rex Kelley

Ronald Rex Kelley, of Cuba, MO, was born on Monday, August 14, 1939, in Farmington, IA to Ivan Leon Kelley and Mary Elaine Kelley, nee Thomas.  He passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in St. James, MO at the age of 83 years, 9 months and 24 days.

Ron and his family moved several times in his youth, but he mainly grew up in the state of Arkansas.  He graduated with the class of 1958 from Decatur High School, Decatur, AR.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served our country honorably for 2 years.  He attended college at Connors State College in Oklahoma where he met and married the love of his life, Peggy Lee Hollis on June 12, 1964 in Checotah, OK. He then graduated from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK with a teaching degree in Mathematics.  After graduating, they moved to Cuba, MO in December 1966 where they both were employed by the Crawford County R-II School District.  In the following years, Ron also taught in both the Steelville, MO and Owensville, MO School Districts, as well as being a Math instructor at East Central College in Union, MO.  He loved teaching and was passionate about educating his students.  During the summers, Ron worked for McGinnis Wood Products in Cuba stacking staves, and as a salesman for Jack’s Auto Sales in Steelville and Jim’s Motors in Cuba. He also detailed cars, built fence, and “piddled” around the house.

Ron was a member of the American Legion Post #522 in Cuba, MO.  He was also a member at Cuba Church of Christ and served as an elder and song leader.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, and reading.  His family was very important to him, and he loved spending time with them – his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, and all other relatives.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

 He was preceded in death by his wife Peggy Kelley; parents Ivan and Mary Kelley; parents-in-law John and Sarah Hollis; siblings Barbara (William) Hutsell, Robert Kelley, Betty (George) Bishop and Raymond (Shirley) Kelley; sister-in-law Phyllis Kelley; brothers-in-law John Hayes and Jim Deberry.

Ronald is survived by his children Tonya (Bobby “Lee”) Bowen of Leasburg, MO, Rhonda (Bobby) Black of Cherryville, MO and Ron (Amy) Kelley of Reeds Springs, MO; siblings Richard Kelley of Sun City Center, FL, Beverly Hayes of Rogers, AR, Bonnie Kelley of Wimauma, FL, Diana (Don) Hawthorne of Inola, OK and Dennis (Terri) Kelley of Gulfport, FL; sisters-in-law Virginia Kelley of Grove, OK and Carolyn Deberry of Yukon, OK; 9 grandchildren: Brandon Black (Jessica Cummings) and Bobby (Mandy) Bowen, III. both of Steelville, MO, Amanda Black (James Carrick) and Bryan Black both of Cherryville, MO, Ethan Bowen (Kourtney Larson) of Cuba, MO, Sarah Bowen (Gage Vandevender) of Lees Summit, MO, Zac (Marissa) Ferguson of Republic, MO, Travis (Ann) Kelley of Excelsior Springs, MO and Madelynn (Jesse) Pietroburgo of DeLand, FL; 8 great grandchildren: Shyleigh Black, Elijah Black and Bryleigh Carrick all of Cherryville, MO, Blayden Black, Olivia Black, Kameron Black and Hadlee Jo Bowen all of Steelville, MO and Digory Kelley of Excelsior Springs, MO; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.  Funeral Service was at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 12, 2023, at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO with Travis Kelley officiating, with full military honors to follow.  Funeral Service was livestreamed on Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba MO’s Facebook Page.  The family chose cremation as his final disposition and will have an inurnment at a later date.  Memorials were suggested to Cops for Kids (PO Box 1006 Branson West, MO 65737).

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.

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