Kurt W. Kelley, 45 , of Pampa, died Thursday, June 13, 1996 in Amarillo. Mr. Kelley was born Jan 6, 1951 , at Pampa . He was a lifelong resident and attended Pampa High School. He worked as an independent pipeline welder. He was preceded in death by a duaghter, Mindy Joyce Kelley, in 1993. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and David Parker of Pampa. a brother, Chris Kelley, of Pampa,and a granddaughter, Sierra Parker of Pampa.
Since seventh grade, Kurt and I were friends. My husband, Chris gave me a ring for my 16th birthday in the backseat of his fastback mustang. He, Gayle, and the two of us ate many lunches in his car. He then went on to marry Gayle, and I Chris, and we continued that friendship many years. We miss them both very much.
Kurt was my cousin and my friend .His parents , Joann and Elwin Kelley, were killed on their way home from Optimist Park in Pampa. Chris, Kurt, My HUSBAND,Robert Morris (class of 71) and Darrel Crafton were all in the car after they won the All-Star game. My uncle was one of the coaches. The family was giving Robert a ride home. Darrel was going home with Kurt and Chris to spend the night. A drunk driver , in pouring rain, came into their lane and crashed between Cabot and Celanese, less than a mile from their house . My family was at the White Deer Rodeo , when the rain started, we headed home, only to come up on the wreck. They had all been taken to the hospital. Kurt and Chris lost both their parents that night, and their lives were forever changed, as were ours. When Robert and I started dating in 1989, his mom told the story of the Kelleys taking Robert home that night from the ballpark. Now my husband, Robert and Darrel Crafton are best friends. They worked together at Celanese until the day it shut down, They are both retired from Celanese and still play golf together etc.
