Richard was born to Martin and Regina Kelp on January 8, 1924 in Canton, Ohio. He joined his sister, Hermina (Jean) and brother Martin as the youngest member of the family. Only older brother Martin is still with us, as Richard's mother, father and sister preceded him in death.
He married his bride, Betty Jess Caldwell on September 2, 1950 and they were together for nearly 65 years. Together they had three children, Richard Jr., married to Debbie Haller Kelp, Michael Kelp and Karen Kelp Wachtler. His family grew with the arrivals of 7 grandchildren, Bradley Haller, Emily Kelp, Michael Kelp Jr., Eric Kelp, Christopher Mankoff, Matthew Mankoff, Amanda Wachtler and three great grandchildren, Sofia Alexander, Cara Kelp and Boston Haller. He is survived by all.
Richard served proudly in the Army Air Corps during the final years of WWII. After a time in the Reserves, he returned to service in the Air Force for the Korean War. When he came home to civilian life, he worked a variety of jobs, including managing the Saxonheim Club in Canton, Ohio and Lunchroom Director for the Duncanville ISD before retiring with the maintenance department of the Lewisville ISD.
Richard, or Dick as his friends called him, was one of the founding members of the VFW #10460 in Lake Dallas, TX. and volunteered there for some time. He will be interred with a private service at the Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. A 10:00am Memorial service will be held prior to the funeral at the Mulkey-Mason Funeral home in Denton, TX for family and friends.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that a donation be made to the St. Jude's Hospital.