Robert Edward Kelley, Sr.

Robert Edward Kelley, “Rocky” of Cameron Parish, Louisiana, passed away on April 13, 2026, after a brief illness. Although family members think it would be more fitting if we said he passed while wrestling alligators trying to take the river inlet or while parasailing behind an airboat on the bayou. Regardless of the cause, the result has left a BIG hole in all of our hearts because Rocky Kelley had a heart as big as Texas and a personality as stubborn and loveable as a good Cajun from Louisiana, his two states of residence throughout his life.

Rocky was born May 6, 1953 in Silsbee, Texas, the firstborn of Charles Edward and Willie Jane Kelley. He graduated from Silsbee High School in 1971 where he played basketball and ran track until a tragic accident resulted in the loss of his leg when he was a teenager. He never let that disability deter him or slow him down. His friends remember many antics he would play with his artificial limb just to get a reaction from people. He loved to bring a sense of humor to any situation, especially if it could serve as a diversion from anything serious or uncomfortable. Rocky knew how to put people at ease and be a good friend. Many describe him as a strong man with a larger-than-life presence, a man whose words were few, but whose actions often conveyed his love in way that was uniquely his own. He was the most kind-hearted, give-you-the-shirt-off-of-his-back kind of man, as anyone fortunate to know him as a friend would agree. Rocky was a man of many talents and skills, and he could build, fix, restore or create almost anything and make it into a work of art.

After enjoying careers in mechanics and insurance, Rocky later left Silsbee and discovered a long-time career and life of adventure when he settled in Cameron, Louisiana. He married Jackie Conner and they had twenty-seven wonderful years together until her untimely passing recently. Rocky’s resilience to tragedy would be tested a few more times as he and his wife, Jackie lost two homes to the hurricanes over the years. Still, they rebuilt and remained dedicated residents of Cameron Parish. Rocky was well respected and highly regarded in his long-time employment as General Manager of McCall Offshore Dock in Cameron, a position which he held at the time of his passing.

Rocky is survived by his three children, Carl Joseph Kelley and wife, Courtney, Robert Edward Kelley, Jr. “Bo,” and Lauren Johnson and husband, Kevin; 5 grandchildren, Jade Theriot, Hillary Kelley, Landon Kelley, Audrey Kelley, and Eli Kelley; 4 great grandchildren; a stepson, Casey Powell and wife, Erin; and 4 step grandchildren, Abram, Elliot, Levi and Sloan; his brother, Bobby Kelley and wife, Sonja; and his sister Jan Kelley-King and husband, Freeman; as well as many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews.

Rocky was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Jane Kelley, his loving wife, Jackie Conner Kelley, his Kelley grandparents, his Hancock-Stott grandparents, his great grandparents, his great-great-great grandparents, and all of the greats back to the days of Noah. We are pretty sure he was related to Noah. We are all going to miss our friend, brother, Daddy, PawPaw Rocky. He is at rest and spending eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and loving and being loved by his mother and Daddy, his Mammaws and Paws and all of those greats. Until we meet again.

Services are under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home and will be held at that location, 4321 Lake Street in Lake Charles, Louisiana Friday, April 17, with a Family Visitation at 10:00 a.m. Public Visitation at 11:00 a.m. and a Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m.