Robert “Bob” Carrington Kelsey

MEMPHIS - Robert “Bob” Carrington Kelsey was always there for his family. He was literally in his wife’s life since Kindergarten, and he rarely missed a practice or game for his sons. After courageously fighting a one-year battle with pancreatic cancer, on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at age 76, he died peacefully in his family home with his loving wife, Kay Keough Kelsey, at his side. Bob was a sixth-generation resident of Collierville, born March 18, 1946 to Elizabeth Carrington Kelsey and James Thomas Kelsey. Because Collierville was so small and his family owned the Chevrolet dealership, he began driving his own car around town at age 14. He graduated from Collierville High School in 1964, where he was named student body Vice President, football team Captain, and Best All-round Athlete. He received honorable mention All-county in baseball and football. Bob was a gifted athlete but also benefited from pragmatism his whole life. Bob noticed that the starting catcher on his baseball team was a year older than the rest of the team and would move on faster, thus opening up the role. So when asked by his coach what position he played, he quickly replied, “I’m a catcher.” He continued his love of sports his entire life, including by watching Memphis Tigers basketball and St. Louis Cardinals baseball games—and playing golf. He also loved watching his sons’ baseball, football, and lacrosse games at MUS and his grandchildren’s sports as well. In April 1969 Bob married Kay, his sweetheart since middle school, who was initially attracted to his Chevrolet. Their romance lasted almost 65 years, including 53 years of marriage. Bob proudly served in the U.S. Air Force 3½ years in Bitburg, Germany, working on airplane electronics and periodically traveling Europe with his airbase baseball team as the catcher. Bob graduated from the University of Memphis in 1972 after working his way through school delivering for Wonder Bread. Next, he worked in sales for Donruss. Finally, he worked almost 40 years in the industrial glove business for MCR Safety, Cordova Gloves, and Radians, which recently christened the Bob Kelsey Golden Glove Champion Award in his honor. His knowledge of industrial gloves was unmatched in his field. Bob’s life was transformed in 1995 when he found Jesus Christ on the spiritual retreat Walk to Emmaus. For the next 8 years, he and Kay served as registrars for the high school retreat Chrysalis. In 1995 they also joined Christ Church Memphis and became a part of their beloved Seekers Sunday School class. Bob also could be found at the Amen Bible study at Second Presbyterian Church. In addition to Kay, Bob is survived by his son Robert Carrington “Carr” Kelsey, Jr. (wife Fran); son Brian Kirk Kelsey (wife Amanda); sister-in-law Rachel Kelsey (widow of James Thomas Kelsey, Jr.); identical twin brother, William Mcdonald Kelsey (wife Judy); and six grandchildren: Carrington, Ainsley, Knox, Reagan, Kirk, and Hardin Kelsey. The family will receive friends at the Collierville Methodist Sanctuary on the Square starting at 1:00 P.M. Monday, February 6, followed by a funeral service at 2:30 P.M. Interment will be in Magnolia Cemetery in Collierville. The family requests that memorials be made to Christ Church Memphis, 4488 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38117, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.