Carl Melton Kelley

Carl Melton Kelley, son of the late Floyd Melton and Alpha (Cartwright) Kelley, was born March 29, 1936 in Tulare, California and passed away January 11, 2014 at his home in Mansfield, Missouri with his wife, Billie, and his sister, Shirley, at his side. He was 77 years, 9 months, and 11 days of age.
Carl spent several years as a truck driver. During that time, everyone on the CB knew him as “Roughrider”. He also worked as a transporter for the Wright County Sheriff’s Department. Carl and Billie ran a farm in Mansfield together for many years. He also spent many years as President of the Wright County Mounted Patrol.
Carl greatly enjoyed riding horses, especially his beloved horse, Champ. Carl enjoyed going to town for breakfast. He loved biscuits and gravy with sliced tomatoes. He also loved Billie’s homemade potato soup.
Carl had a nickname that was known by only a few people. It was “Carlos Bow-Legged Chewing Tobacco Man”.
Besides his parents, Carl was preceded in death by four brothers: Noel Dean Kelley, Lowell Kelley, David Ryan, and Mike Ryan; two sisters: Wilma Sue Matney and Cheryl Ryan; one brother-in-law: Jack Cottengim; one daughter-in-law: Penny Kelley; and one infant niece: Carie Lynn Matney.
He is survived by his loving wife of their home: Billie (Wilson) Kelley; five sons: John Kelley, Ronnie Kelley and his wife, Donna, and Lonnie Kelley and his wife, Johnna, all of Vinita, Oklahoma, Brent Campbell and his wife, Cindy, of Solo, Missouri, and Delmar Moore of Utah; one daughter: Shavon Campbell of Springfield, Missouri; two sisters-in-law: Lucille Kelley and Barbara Kelley; five brothers: Jesse Kelley and his wife, Barbara, Rick Kelley and his wife, Nancy, Jim Ryan, and Joe Ryan all of Mansfield, Missouri, and Bill Kelley and his wife, Linda, of Gainesville, Missouri; three sisters: Shirley Cottengim and Sharon Woods of Mansfield, and Marilyn Flake and her husband, David, of Hartville, Missouri; eighteen grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many other family, neighbors, and friends who will greatly miss him.

Memorial Contributions:
American Lung Association c/o of the funeral home.