Richard J. Kelly

Richard J Kelly, 76, of Topeka lost his battle with cancer on Sunday, November 7. He was born May 8, 1945 in Topeka, KS, the son of Richard and Margaret (Mitchell) Kelly. He graduated from Seaman High School in 1963.

Rick worked in the Santa Fe Offices before serving in the United States Army for two years. After his return home, he was employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 38 years, retiring in May, 2007. He married Brenda Bixby on April 12, 1969 in Silver Lake Kansas.

Survivors include his wife, Brenda, of the home; a son, Scott (Shana) Kelly of Olathe; a daughter, Paula (Darrin) Kelly-Frey of Manhattan; granddaughter Alyssa Frey, grandsons Drake Kelly and Dylan Kelly; brothers Lonnie (Brenda) Kelly and Mike (Michelle) Kelly both of Topeka; a sister Sharon (Steve) Thomas of Topeka, a sister-in-law Janice Kelly of Topeka and a brother-in-law Dennis (Denise) Bixby of Tonganoxie. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Kelly.

Richard was a member of the Topeka Corvette Club for over 30 years and a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Richard enjoyed his grandkids, corvettes, classic cars and watching Nascar (go Chase Elliott!) Rick and Brenda loved to travel, whether it was a cruise on a ship or a road trip in the corvette.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Sunday, November 14 at Parker-Price Funeral Home, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, KS 66608. The funeral service will be at 11 AM, Monday, November 15 at the funeral home. Internment will follow at Rochester Cemetery. Anyone who owns a corvette or other classic car is encouraged to drive it. Rick would love that!
To view a livestream of the service, please click the link below:
https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1636590420147521

Memorial contributions may be made to the Seaman Alumni Assoc Scholarship Fund, c/o Fred Patton, 2708 NW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, KS 66617

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