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Richard Lavon Kerley
Richard Lavon Kerley, age 84, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, at Fort Scott Manor. He was born March 15, 1929, in Fort Scott, the son of Harvey Kerley and Stella Dunn Kerley. He graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1948. He married Joyce Briggs on Sept. 4, 1949, in Arcadia, Kan. In 1950 he began working for Palmer's Service Station until he purchased the station in 1969. He operated the station until selling it in 1977. Richard then worked for USD 234 School District in maintenance and as a bus driver until his retirement in 1999. Even after retirement he continued to enjoy his weekly coffee time with his co-workers. He was an avid Indian artifacts collector as well as collecting and selling knives and marbles. He liked camping, hunting, and fishing. He was a pigeon hobbyist and also raised coon dogs. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, especially the grandkids. Richard was a member of the Church of Christ 15th and Crawford and actively served as the church song leader.
Survivors include his wife Joyce of the home; two sons, Richard Kerley and wife Mary Ann, Arma, Kan., and Robert Kerley and wife Vicki, Ozark, Mo.; one daughter, Laura Nation and husband Norman, Fort Scott; seven granddaughters, Tricia Hedgpeth and husband Kinley, Cindi Schmoldt, Bridget McGilbray and husband Ty, Lindsay Waterman and husband Michael, Katie Chipman and husband Mike, April Stock and husband Kolby, and Elise Herman and husband Jeremiah; 13 great grandchildren, Courtney, Kristin, Mason, Cierra, Wyatt, Dub, Karlie, Grant, Owen, Gianna, Klara, Kyson, and Kort; and one great-great grandson, Zander. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Bobby Kerley, Sgt. Jack S. Kerley, and two infants; and two sisters, Ouida Kelly and Dorcil Buckley.
Minister Mike Chipman will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Church of Christ 15th and Crawford and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com