George Wallace Kelly

George Wallace "Wally" Kelly, 86, of Lewisville, Texas, formerly of Topeka, passed away Friday, November 29, 2019.

He was born February 12, 1933, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of George W. and Nellie Mae (Turner) Kelly. Wally attended Topeka High School and subsequently earned his GED. He married Jeanette Josephine Sumner on June 4, 1952 in Topeka. She preceded him in death on April 21, 2007.

On May 31, 2008, he married Anna "Annie" Lee Summers. She survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Diana Malsom and her husband Ray, and Ginger Patterson and her husband Stephen; four sisters Donna Degan, Ruth Carvalho, Patsy Myrick, and Kathy Watson; five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Gene Kelly, William Kelly and Rueben Kelly.

Wally was employed with Goodyear Tire and Rubber for 32 years, retiring in 1996. He worked as a tire builder, a supervisor and a shift foreman. He received several awards as a Top Ten Supervisor, which included reward trips for Wally and Jeanette with the Top Ten. Some of the trips included a ride in the Goodyear blimp.

Wally was a member of Kansas Avenue United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Wally was a square dancer, and was round dance cuer for 25 years for many clubs including Strato Jets, Top Kan, Swinging Squares and Square Delites in Lawrence, KS. Wally and Jeanette were Round Dance Instructors for their River City Round Dance Club in Lawrence, KS. Wally converted his garage into a small dance hall the family named "Wally Hall." His round dance club Flip Sides danced in Wally Hall. With Jeanette's insistence, Wally continued dancing and cuing during her illness. Following her death, Wally's continued participation with the dance clubs led him to meet Annie.

Wally and Annie loved to travel together. Their honeymoon trip was an Alaska cruise where they saw Denali Park. Wally took Annie to her dream destination - Italy. Wally was always interested in the Civil War and President Lincoln so they visited the sites in Springfield, Illinois. They visited Disneyworld in Florida, saw Broadway shows in New York City, and swam with the dolphins in Cozumel, Mexico. They often visited relatives in Texas, New Orleans and Minnesota.

Wally was a family man. He loved seeing his daughters, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and Annie's grown children with their families. He regularly transported grandchildren from school, to music or dance lessons. They remember him listening to the golden oldies crooners like Frank Sinatra on the radio during the drive. Wally built his house himself even though he was not an experienced craftsman. When asked how he dug the basement for the house, his response was "I went out and bought a new shovel." He had a wonderful sense of humor; he joked with everyone and made them feel at home with his quick wit. Wally had silly pet names for everyone. He was a happy, generous person and friend to all.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 6, 2019 at Parker-Price Funeral Home, 245 NW Independence, Topeka. Burial will follow at Rochester Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association-Topeka, c/o the funeral home, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, KS 66608.

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