Robert E. Kelley

Robert “Pete” Kelley was born May 2, 1949, to Robert Ewite Kelley and Joyce Marie Johnson in Wharton, Texas. Both parents proceeded him in death.  His father in 2011 and his mother in 2003.  Robert was the youngest of four children, Darryl Kelley, Brenda (Kelley) Robinson  (deceased) and surviving brother Carlton Kelley.

In 1951, when Pete was just two years old, his family moved to Los Angeles, CA to began a new life journey.  He attended Normandie Avenue Elementary School, John Foshay Junior High School, and Manual Arts High School.  He graduated from Manual Arts in 1968.  During his years in high school, he enjoyed singing in the Aeolian Club, as well as playing football and baseball.

Pete served in the military from 1969-1971.  He toured Germany and was able to play football for the army.  He received the National Defense Service Medal. 

In 1971 Pete married Betty Blue Smith and to this union was born Micah Aaron Kelley.  He remarried in 1977 to Virginia Lee Riley and to this union was born, Darryl Brian Kelley and Mariel Erin Kelley (Ngozi Heru).  He later settled down with his long-time partner of fifteen years Dyrise Vincent.

In 1988 Pete relocated to Inland Empire where he immersed himself in the community, coaching Junior All American Football.  He later went to work for Perris Unified School District where he retired.

Pete was a loving husband and father.  His children were very important to him.  His mother and father set an excellent example for him and he mirrored it when bringing up his own children.  He became endearing to his children and grandchildren who all called him “Pops”.

He was a person that never met a stranger, he befriended you with a big smile and a hug.  Pete enjoyed good music, good food, and drink.  He loved to barbeque, make a great pot of beans and to go fishing.  But he loved football most of all.  He could talk for hours about football and his glory days of playing.  He lived a good life and will be missed.

On Monday, December 23, 2019 at the age of 70, Robert "Pete" Kelley passed away surrounded by his loving family.

Pete leaves to cherish his memory; Long-time partner Dyrise Vincent, sons Damien Hooks and wife Toni, Micah Kelley and wife Terri, Darryl Kelley, and wife Chante, daughter Ngozi Heru (Mariel Kelley) and brother Carlton Kelley. Grandchildren  Ebonea, Jennifer, Damien Jr, Daniel, Joquan, Aaron, Malik, Josiah, Brandon, Dexter, Sade, Tajh, Kamryn, Micaiah, Makaliah, Booker, Donavin, Sihaya, Isra, Jibril and Sa’ir and a host of great-grandchildren,  nieces, nephews, and friends.

Robert will forever be loved and admired by all.

His saying was:    “We Finish To Begin”

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard his call,
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I've found that peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My Life's been full, I savoured much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch,

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.

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