Search billions of records on Ancestry.com

Last updated
Monday, 30-Nov-2009 13:56:50 MST

Classmates Obituaries - Letter K

These obituaries correspond with the yearbooks that are listed on this website.  Whenever possible, the source of the obituary will be shown as well as the date.

Keller, David Lee - David Lee Keller, 74, of Hot Springs died Saturday, November 25, 2006, in a local hospital.
Born July 14, 1932, at Fort Smith, Arkansas, to David and Estelle Roach Keller, he was a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, a pharmacist for more than fifty years, U.S. Army Korean War veteran, former mayor of Texarkana, Texas, and member of St. John's Catholic Church.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Debra Keller of Fayetteville; two daughters, LeAnn Keller of Boston and Jeri Keller of Wake Village, Texas; one sister, Norma Jean Mann of Hot Springs; three grandchildren...
The service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Crestview Memorial Park with the Rev. Erik Pohlmeier officiating... (Gross Funeral Home) [Sentinel-Record, November 27, 2006] [Class of 1949]

Kelly, Ronald D. - Ronald D. Kelly of Hot Springs left his mortal body peacefully in a local hospital to be with Jesus eternally, Monday, November 16, 2009. He is survived by his sister Caralyn Verble and brother-in-law David Verble of Hot Springs; two nephews Mike Verble of Brentwood, Tennessee, Kelly Verble and his wife Joan of Hot Springs; and niece Beth Gieringer and her husband David of Little Rock; five great nieces Cara and Kimber Gieringer, Ashton and Kelsey Verble and Kristi Verble; two great nephews Braedon Verble of Brentwood, Tennessee,  and Joshoa Gieringer; his legally adopted son Jim Bullard and daughter-in-law Linda Bullard; four grandchildren Jamie (Bullard) Huisman and her husband Cody, Taylor Bullard, Jolie Bullard and Tanner Bullard all of Hot Springs; and countless friends all over the world, especially Alton, Illinois, and Hamamatsu, Japan.
Ron was born February 13, 1936, to Dr. Claude Kelly and Altha Orr Kelly and grew up in Hot Springs where his gift in music as pianist and entertainer began to blossom at an early age. He graduated from Hot Springs high in 1954 and joined the Navy and was a member of the Navy School of Music. He returned to Arkansas in 1958 and attended Ouachita Baptist University where he earned a degree in Music. He took a job as high school choral director in Alton, Illinois where he served for 30 years. He was very involved in that community, directing church choirs, Summer Musicals with area youth and directing various music groups.
In 1989 Ron moved to Hamamatsu, Japan where he taught conversational English and received the prestigious teacher of the decade award from Interac International and made countless friends. He returned to Hot Springs in 2000 to work with his alma mater (OBU) as international recruiter. He was instrumental in starting Friendship International, that continues to meet each Monday at local churches. He was involved with the Leadership Hot Springs through Chamber of Commerce. He shared his gift of music at Central Baptist Church, Grand Avenue Methodist Church and most recently at First Christian Church. Ron thoroughly enjoyed an exciting life and being around and entertaining people, traveling this great country with great admiration and knowledge of it’s history and beauty. Each summer he would take a van full of people (mostly students) on a “summer trip” a full month of traveling the US. He constantly had people (especially young people) in his home to eat, play games and generally have a great time. He hosted foreign exchange students from Germany, Czech Republic, Thailand, Japan and other countries. He always shared his faith in Jesus Christ and to his last day was telling others of the hope and salvation that is available to all who would believe in and call on the name of Jesus Christ. He will be missed by us all.
A memorial service will be held at Central Baptist Church on Monday, November 23, 2009, at 2pm. Arrangements are by Gross Funeral Home. [from Gross Funeral Home online obituary] Class of 1954

Kirtley, Betty Ruth Norman - Betty Ruth Norman Kirtley, 77, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, died Monday, February 5, 2007, at her home. She was a member of Gardner Lane Primitive Baptist Church, Elder Ersel Tillery pastor.
She was born January 24, 1930, to the late Dallas and Jewell Dodson Norman.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Bill J. Kirtley; one son, Kenneth Kirtley; one grandson, Joseph Chris Wilson; all of Hot Springs, Arkansas; one sister, Barbara Gwin; two nieces, Della Darty and her husband, Michael and Linda King and her husband, Dave; all of Detroit, Michigan.
There will be no services, but a gathering at the family’s home. [Caruth-Hale Funeral Home online obituary] [Class of 1950]