Timmy Lee Kelley

Timmy Lee Kelley of Lesterville, Missouri passed away January 16, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 23, 1963 in San Diego, California, the son of the late Normand Gean and Darlene Lavina (Lee) Kelley. Tim was a 1981 graduate of Lesterville High School. Upon graduating he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as a Quartermaster. Tim served our country for seven years. In addition to serving our country he looked forward to seeing the world. Tim has worked in several industries and was working as a crane operator for the Doe Run Company when his health forced him to retire. He also worked for Huffy bicycle in Farmington. He attended the First Baptist Church in Lesterville. Tim had many different interests and hobbies. Whenever he did something, he went whole hog. He loved to travel and did get to see many places around the world. He enjoyed scuba diving (became an instructor), beekeeping (member of Parkland Beekeepers), fishing, music (played trombone, guitar, piano, and violin), photography (built a dark room to process his photos) and firearms (learned to make ammunition and targets). Tim was intrigued by magic and became a practiced magician. When he became interested in riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, he became a certified Harley mechanic. Tim was an avid reader with a collection of over 700 books on Audible. He enjoyed navigation, astronomy, computers, gaming, Oculus, gardening, boating, politics, and coin collecting. Tim enjoyed listening to 70’s and 80’s rock and country music. He was a big Jeopardy fan, loved watching the Big Bang Theory, Smithsonian Channel, and rodeos. He was a huge fan of Harry Potter, collecting memorabilia, and traveling to Universal Studios to experience the Harry Potter exhibit. Tim enjoyed woodworking – he particularly liked to make pens and clocks. He was a chicken farmer but also kept horses, cows, and dogs. He was a ferret Dad – Harry and Ginny are the current ferrets. Tim was a “Foodie”. He enjoyed winemaking, gourmet cooking, baking and he was a cheesecake expert! He also enjoyed cake decorating. Tim loved his family and the time spent with them. Tim is survived by three sisters: Cindy Biediger (Stan) of DeSoto, Missouri, Susan “Candy” Sanchez (Cesar) of Fredericktown, and Shari Durham (the late Charlie McFerren) of Fredericktown, Missouri, and his brother: Mike Kelley (Tina) of Ellington, Missouri. Fourteen nieces and nephews also survive as well as a host of other family members and friends. In addition to his parents, Tim was preceded in death by his best friend and traveling buddy, Herb Haus. Tim and Herb traveled to Jamacia nine times in the past twelve years. They liked to sit on the beach eating patties and enjoying the Island life. Tim's family would like to thank the staff at Serenity Hospice for the excellent care they provided for their brother. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Serenity Hosice in Park Hills or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - a charity that meant alot to Tim. Celebration of Life services will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. from Bryson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bill Jackson officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Following the Celebration of Life service, full military honors will be presented at the funeral home. Private interment will be on Monday, January 22, 2024 at Kelley Cemetery in Annapolis.