Denver Andrew Kelly

Denver Andrew Kelly went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday morning, July 22, 2009. He was 99 years old. Denver was born September 27, 1909 to William Henry and Lula Kelly in Lipan, Texas. He moved to Terry County about 1925 and attended school at Gomez. He played basketball at Gomez high school and later, as an adult he played baseball on a Gomez team. It is said that with Denver catching and his brother, Otis pitching, Gomez was hard to beat. Denver graduated from Gomez high school in 1930 and presented Ruby Key with an engagement ring on the following Christmas Day. They were married November 28, 1931 in Lovington. They would have celebrated 78 years of marriage this November. The first spring after their wedding, Denver planted his first crop with two mules and a plow. He continued to farm in the Gomez community until his retirement from active farming in 1976. He could never really leave the land though and was vital in the overseeing of his land until his health forced his move away from the farm last year. He was often seen hoeing in the heat of the day and driving around the farm checking the crops’ progress. Denver had been a member of the Gomez Baptist Church for many years. He was an active member of the community and was a very active member of the McDonald’s early morning coffee crew for many, many years.
Denver is survived by his wife Ruby, of Rockwall. His son Royce and wife Charlotte of Hot Springs Village, Ark. His daughter Patricia and husband Darrell Benton of Rockwall, Texas. He is also survived by grandchildren, Cindy Gano, Kelly Murphy, Trisha Kurtz, Tim Murphy, Craig Kelly, Sharla Trice, Stanley Noblett, Tammy Harver, and Kelly Scott Noblett, 19 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, all his 10 brothers and sisters, 1 daughter Betty Brown, and grandson Mike Kelly and great-grandson Brad Sanford.
Services will be at the First Baptist Church of Brownfield at 2:00 on Saturday, July 25, 2009 with the Rev. Randy Land, pastor officiating. Interment will follow in Brownfield Cemetery.