Christopher E. Kelley, who resided in Heavener, Oklahoma, passed away Friday, January 8, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born September 14, 1950, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to the late Everett Kelley and Mary Pearson Kelley. He was 70 years old. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Latisha Kelley; two brothers, Eddie Kelley and Carl Kelley; and his father-in-law, Cecil O'Neal.

Chris was a corporate safety manager for Mechanical Construction Services (MCS) in Newark, Arkansas. He was an U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran, and a member of Center Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Chris was a true believer and follower of Jesus Christ. He had a passion for guns and knives and his extensive knowledge of both will be missed by many. He enjoyed going to pawn shops and could tell you the pawn shop location in every town he patronized. He was an avid BBQ-er and loved to feed people. He enjoyed having grandkids pile up in his recliner with him to watch TV and sleep. He could never get enough hugs.

A memorial service gathering will be held by the family at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 13th, at Reichert Community Center in Reichert, Oklahoma. Everyone is invited to attend.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Shelley O'Neal Kelley; his children, Eddie Kelley and wife Amy of St. Louis, Missouri, Cari Kothenbeutel and husband Zach of Poteau, Oklahoma, Alicia Herell and husband Jason of Reichert, Oklahoma, Christie Branscum and husband Aaron of Fanshawe, Oklahoma, April Elliott of Marshfield, Missouri, Christina Pyle of Heber Springs, Arkansas, and Kim Davison and husband Nate of Trumann, Arkansas;a brother, Mike Kelley of Paragould, Arkansas; fourteen grandchildren, Mathew, Andrea, Justin, and Jessica Kelley, Raelyn and Luke Herell, Kinley, Lillie and Maggie Branscum, Tenchi Kelley and Clarey Davison, Dillion and Kaylee Shetrone, Zachary Kelley, and Arabella Pyle; six great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Claudette Hamner of Reichert, Oklahoma, and a beloved friend, Debra O'Neal of Hodgen, Oklahoma.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Cremation Services in Fort Smith, 914 N. 32nd St. Fort Smith, AR  72903. (479) 434-3901 or (479) 965-8202

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com . You may also visit our Facebook page, Brotherton Brothers Cremation Services in Fort Smith.