David Kelley

David Michael Kelley, 56, of Artesia, New Mexico passed away on December 21, 2011 at Convenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas with his wife and son by his side.

David survived his first heart attack in 1996 and lived an active life until 2006 when a third heart attack left him in bed most of the time. The doctors never thought he should have survived the first one let alone the second or the third. He defied all medical knowledge by living nearly 6 years after the third heart attack. His weak heart lost the battle against an infection in his body.

David was born September 7, 1955 in Goldthwaite, Texas to W.L. Red Kelley and Georgia Ann Smith Kelley. He was one of eight children: older siblings Gary Kelley, Elizabeth Olsen and younger siblings Rose Eary, Karen Sexton, Clifford Kelley, Katie Earl, and Welton Shorty Kelley, Jr.

David married Linda Kay Campbell on September 2, 1976 in Waco, Texas. The couple moved to Artesia in December 1983 where they raised their three children Kevin D. Kelley29, Kristy K. Crockett28, and Kary A. Angell26.

He was an entrepreneur with his most memorable endeavors including Bulldog Wrecking, cofounder of High Desert Computer, and Kelley Ag Enterprises. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing with his grandsons, playing poker, photography, and working with computers. David never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a hand.

He was survived by his wife Linda K. Kelley, of the family home children Kevin D. Kelley and wife Michele of Artesia, Kristy K. Crockett and husband Doepp of Ft. Sumner, NM, Kary A. Angell and husband John R. of Artesia. Grandchild Blane W. Smith of Artesia and Hagan D. Crockett of Ft. Sumner and expected Angell baby. Parents W.L. Red Kelley and Georgia Ann Smith Kelley of Aquilla, TX motherinlaw Marlene J. Campbell of Artesia, NM. Siblings Gary Kelley and wife Patricia of Meridian, TX, Elizabeth Olsen and husband Jimmie of Kerens, TX, Rose Eary and husband Danny of Clifton, TX, Karen Sexton and husband Ricky of Peoria, TX, Clifford Kelley and wife Leia of Aquilla, TX, Katie Earl and husband Mark of Aquilla, TX, and Welton Shorty Kelley, Jr. and wife Renee of Meridian, TX lifelong friend Roy Covey and wife Julie of Laguna Park, TX and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Along with numerous great nieces and nephews. In addition to several great great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by grandparents fatherinlaw Bill D. Campbell of Artesia, NM and good friend Darryl Bollema of Artesia, NM.

Memorial services will be Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 10am at Terpening Son Chapel in Artesia, NM. Don Johnston will officiate with burial immediately following at Woodbine Cemetery. Members of Artesia FireEMS will carry David one last time as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Covey, Mickey Bean and Roy Logsdon. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at Terpening Son until 8pm.

Donations can be sent to New Mexico Donor Services andor American Heart Association.