Robert “Bob” Kelly

PERRY – Robert “Bob” Franklin Kelly, 78, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, with his loving family by his side. Services will be on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Perry Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 3:00 p.m. A private burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Perry Methodist Church, 1101 Carroll Street, Perry, GA 31069, or First Love Ministries, 623 Pine Ridge Street, Perry, GA 31069.

Bob was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to parents Franklin and Betty Jane Kelly. The family, including brothers Jim and Jack, resided in Grand Terrace, California, until Bob was 15 years old. In 1962, they moved to Perry, Georgia, where he has resided since. A graduate of Perry High School Class of 1964, he later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. Bob proudly served our country in the United States Army for five years. During this time, he attained the rank of Captain as a helicopter pilot and instructor.

Bob was smart, was hardworking, and had many successful business ventures including homebuilding, owning and operating a staffing company, and most recently, running a construction related business with his son, Mac. He was a talented craftsman who loved working in his woodshop and making furniture for his family. When he wasn’t with family or working, you most likely could find him on the golf course.

More than anything Bob loved Jesus, his wife Lynda, his three children, his seven bonus children, and all their families. He absolutely adored his 30 grandchildren who affectionately called him Grandpa or Bobba. Nothing brought him more joy than an unexpected visit from one of his grandchildren. He loved cooking his famous pancake breakfast for any of his little loved ones. For more than 30 years, Bob enjoyed his annual beach trips to St. George Island and elsewhere with his entire family, helping create a lifetime of memories for everyone. He cherished his friendships, especially those of his golfing buddies. Bob was a gracious, caring, and giving man who helped so many others in need.

Peace comes for the family knowing that he has been reunited with his parents, his grandson Stephen Michael Shimp, and other family and friends who preceded him in death.

Left to cherish the memories they made with Bob are his loving and devoted wife of thirty years, Lynda Walker Kelly of Perry; his children, Mac Kelly (Kimmie) of Neptune Beach, Florida, Jennifer Kelly Adams (Paul) of Jacksonville, Florida, and Michael Kelly of Jacksonville, Florida; his bonus children whom he treated as his own, Jodi Hulbert Zammit (Edmund) of Perry, Paul Hulbert (Lisa) of Charlotte, North Carolina, John Hulbert (Ashley) of Perry, Ben Hulbert (Samantha) of Perry, Matthew Hulbert (Jennifer) of Shreveport, Louisiana, Mark Hulbert (Emily) of Marietta, and Jill Hulbert Thigpen (Eric) of Perry; twenty-nine grandchildren; two brothers, Jim Kelly (Shirley) of Houston, Texas, and Jack Kelly (Dorothy) of Talihina, Oklahoma; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.