Byron Border Kelley, longtime resident of Mangum, Oklahoma, left his Earthly home to join the arms of the Lord on the morning of August 20, 2023, at the age of eighty-seven.
On January 4, 1936, Grady and Iona rejoiced at the birth of their only child Byron Border Kelley at the Mangum Hospital. Byron received his middle name from the local Doctor Dr. Border who was a dear friend of the Kelley family and delivered Byron. He was raised and educated in Greer County, Oklahoma. Byron graduated from Mangum High School. Following graduation Byron enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard. His unit was preparing to deploy to Korea when the truce was signed ending the Korean War. Byron was proud of his country and his service. On January 6, 1956, Byron married the love of his life Mary Kay Moore at Russell Baptist Church. This marriage would be blessed with two children, Kim and Keith. Byron worked as a truck driver, he started working at the age of sixteen driving for Clyde Evans. His first job was driving to Chicago, Illinois to pick up a new semi and drove all the way home to Mangum. Byron worked for several companies during his fifty-four-year long career as a truck driver, most notably Amesco and Mangum Oil and Gas. Byron logged over one million miles as a truck driver, and he stopped any time he saw anyone in need. Byron enjoyed making wooden spoons, and over the years mastered the art of spoon making. He also enjoyed traveling with his family to deep sea fish. His favorite places to go where to Port Aransas, Texas and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. While most love to brag about the size of the fish they caught Byron would rather tell stories and brag about the fish his grandchildren caught. He cherished his family and poured into them, helping them to become they people they are today. Byron was a lifelong member of the Russell Baptist Church and was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. His faith was an important aspect of his life, he had a servant’s heart and was always looking to help a neighbor or a stranger in need. Byron leaves a legacy of devotion to his family, love of country, and devotion to his is Lord and Savior.
Preceding Byron in death are his father, Grady Kelley; mother, Iona Kelley, and his son Keith Kelley.
Left to honor Byron memory are his wife of sixty-seven years, Mary Kay Kelley, daughter, Kim Martinez, and husband Jorge, two grandsons, Kelley Martinez and wife Shawna, Heath Martinez and wife Christina, and six great grandchildren, Triston, Emily, Nacole, Alexis, Jaxon, and Murphy.
Open visitation will be 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Greer Funeral Home, Mangum, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Russell Baptist Church, Russell, Oklahoma. Graveside services will be 12:30 p.m. Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Riverside Cemetery, Mangum, Oklahoma.
Funeral services have been entrusted to Greer Funeral Home, Mangum, Oklahoma.
To send flowers in memory of Byron Border Kelley, visit the Tribute Store.
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Visitation
23
Aug
235 South Pennsylvania
Mangum, OK 73554
Funeral
24
Aug
Mangum, OK 73554
Mangum, OK 73554
Graveside
24
Aug
Mangum, OK 73554
Mangum, OK 73554
