Joseph D. Kelley Jr.

Jay Kelley was born October 18, 1943 in Caraway, Arkansas to Mammie Ruth and Dolton Kelley. He passed away August 1, 2019 at the Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock surrounded by his family. He was the oldest of seven children. Jay was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Shirley and her husband Les; his brother-in-law, Johnny Barlow; his sister-in-law, Sue Kelley; and his uncle, Clyde Kelley. He is survived by his loving wife, Pat of Benton, Arkansas; son, Jay P; two grandsons: Caleb and Sam; the mother of his grandsons, Deb; brother-in-law, Phillip Brown and his wife Joyce of Wynne, Arkansas; three brothers: Gary Kelley and his wife Charlene and Morris Kelley and his wife Dianne, both of Marion, Arkansas and Jim Kelley of Southaven, Mississippi; two sisters: Patsy Foster and her husband Glen and Carol Barlow of Marion, Arkansas; nieces: Cara Evans and husband Bryan and their son, Ethan of West Memphis, Arkansas, Kaye Cuzzort of Palestine, Arkansas, and Kristi Beck and her husband Robert of Marion, Arkansas; nephews: Ray Kelley of West Memphis, Arkansas and Keith Chrestman of California; and many family members and friends who love Jay and will miss him always. Jay graduated from Arkansas State University. He was past master of Benton Masonic Lodge #34 and served his country in Vietnam. He worked for Union Carbide Corporation and J.M. Huber Corporation as plant manager. After retirement from Huber, he went to work for Cal Ark Trucking, which he said was the "best job he ever had". Jay was a devoted grandfather to Caleb and Sam. He was an avid golfer. Jay traveled a lot and "took Pat wherever she wanted to go." Per Jay's request, there will be a private family burial at a later date. The family would like to express their gratitude and much appreciation to the nurses and doctors at Arkansas Heart Hospital for the wonderful care they gave Jay during his short illness. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Monday, August 5, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street, Benton, Arkansas. Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.