Buddy Joe "Bud" Kelley

Buddy Joe “Bud” Kelley, 92, of Sterling, passed away June 5, 2019 at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson, Kansas. He was born August 12, 1926 in New Blaine, Arkansas, the son of Raymond and Faye Jones Kelley. Bud graduated from St. John High School with the class of 1945, and later graduated from Sterling College. He has resided in Sterling for the past 21 years, having moved in the fall of 1998 from St. John, Kansas. He and Joan wintered for many years in Rockport, Texas. Bud was a teacher and coach for 36 years at Alden, Sterling, Satanta, and Fairfield Schools from 1951 until 1988. At Sterling College, Bud lettered in basketball, football, baseball and track. He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Sterling College in the fall of 1998. Bud served in the United States Army from February 3, 1945 until December 2, 1946. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Sterling; Sterling American Legion Post #128; member of the Wednesday Coffee and Doughnut Crew at the Alden Community Center; and Sterling Country Club. Bud enjoyed woodworking, loved golfing and fishing, playing cards and his family. On July 17, 1949, Bud was united in marriage with Joan Davis at New Hope Church in rural Stafford County, near Hudson, Kansas. They were married just 11 days shy of 70 years. She survives of the home. He is also survived by his children, Paula Weinman and husband Glenn of Phillipsburg, KS, Peggy Reynolds of Sterling, KS, and Troy Kelley and wife Sharon of Sterling, KS; twelve grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bob, Bill, and Ben Kelley; and sisters, Betty Howell and Bernita Henks. Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Monday, June 10, 2019 at First United Methodist Church, Sterling with Pastor Rob Bolton officiating. Burial will be at Sterling Community Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 6:00 P.M., Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with family present from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to Sterling Country Club in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

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