R.K. "Kelly" Wardlow, Jr.

R.K. “Kelly” Wardlow, Jr., 76, of Coleman, died Thursday, July 5, 2018 at his residence.  Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel, 400 West Pecan Street, Coleman, with Mr. David Wallace officiating. Burial will be in the Glen Cove Cemetery in Coleman County.  Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Raymond Kelly Wardlow, Jr. was born June 20, 1942 in Coleman to Raymond Kelly Wardlow, Sr. and Willie LaNell Merryman Wardlow.    He grew up in Coleman and graduated from Coleman High School.  After graduation, Kelly enlisted in the United States Army and was a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division.  On April 19, 1961, he married Billie Marie Beaver in Coleman.

Kelly worked for the Santa Fe Railroad in Temple and Brownwood as a Conductor and Brakeman, retiring after for 25 years of service.  He was also a pilot, loved watching bull riding and was a rancher.  He was extremely proud of his 30 years of sobriety and was also a member of the Baptist church.

Survivors include his wife, Billie Wardlow of Coleman; one son, Mark Wardlow of Cedar Park; two grandchildren, William Anthony Wardlow of Austin, Keeli Dawn Wardlow of San Antonio; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Anna and Melton Kennedy; several cousins, and many friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Waymon Kelly Wardlow; one sister, Peggy Wardlow and a son, R.K. “Kelly” Wardlow, III.

The family has requested that memorial donations in memory of Kelly be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Condolences and remembrance for the family may be left online at www.livingmemorials.com.