David Harrold Kelley

David Harrold Kelley, a 79-year-old longtime resident of Galt, passed away at 10:04 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 at Slater-Neal Funeral Home in Trenton. Burial will follow in the Galt East Cemetery.
Open viewing will be from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 at the funeral home.
Mr. Kelley was born in Rudd, AR on May 12, 1942, the son of John Lawrence and Edith (Rockhold) Kelley. He was one of ten children in his family, which later moved to north Missouri where he stayed most of his adult life.
Mr. Kelly enlisted in the United States Air Force in December 1960 and served four years in the Air Force working with missiles. He did a tour in Vietnam where he became a decorated veteran for his service there.
On June 24, 1963, he was united in marriage to Laura Lee Tunnell. To this union, four children were born. David’s greatest joys were his grandchildren. He even became a great-grandpa. He was even better at this role and enjoyed it even more.
David thoroughly enjoyed trucking. He drove a semi coast-to-coast for over 40 years. He was especially proud of getting his 200 Million Mile Safety Award. He loved trucking and sharing that love with Laura Lee and his grandchildren. He took them on trips individually each summer along with his Boston terrier, Susie. There wasn’t an interstate or highway he didn’t know and could always give you directions before GPS, even without a map.
He later drove a bus for the Grundy R-5 School District. He really enjoyed seeing the kids and driving them each day. He always had such joy and good stories to share with his family when he came home for the day.
He always enjoyed decorating his yard at Christmas time. He would put up tons of lights and inflateable decorations with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. People from town always enjoyed coming to see his display. He never knew a stranger and always enjoyed visiting with people wherever he went.
He will be sorely missed by his family and friends for his laughter, kindness, and cheerful conversations.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Laura Lee of the home; children, Patty Turley and husband, George of Maryville,  Harold Kelley of Galt, Linda Dillon and husband, Chance of Trenton and Sandy Olson and husband, Randy of Meadville; Sister Gladys Hogan of San Antonio, TX; brothers Dale Kelley of Keller, TX and Ray Kelley of Seattle, WA; five grandchildren: Kali McCrary and husband, Nathan of Gilman City, Krystal Derickson and husband, Cory of Chillicothe, David Olson of Liberty, Casey Turley of Maryville and Ashlee Olson of Meadville; and six great-grandchildren, Kainsley and Brycen McCrary, Jennifer Bannan, Dennis and Odin Derrickson and Bella Olson.
David was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Florence Smith, Mary Rhodes, Dollye Richardson and Frances Beith; brothers, Tom Kelley and Dan Kelley; and grandsons, Joshua Tucker and Delbert Turley.
Memorials can be made to the Galt East Cemetery and left with or mailed to the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.resthavenmort.com.