Vernon O’Kelly, 88, of Amarillo, TX died Thursday, December 10, 2020.
Services will be private. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
Vernon was born November 9, 1932, in Abilene, TX to Walter and Berniece O’Kelly. He graduated from Lefors High School, earned his bachelor’s degree at McMurry, and a Master of Divinity from Duke University. He served as a United Methodist Church minister and served at Forest Hills United Methodist Church, Ralls Methodist Church, and churches of Panhandle and Dimmitt, Texas, and his remaining years as District Superintendent.
Vernon married Jane Sargent on June 19, 1965, in Corpus Christi, TX.
Survivors include his wife, Jane O’Kelly, of Amarillo; two sons, Ty O’Kelly and wife Shalea of Amarillo, TX, and Scott O’Kelly, of Woodland Park, CO; a sister, Fran McGaughey, of Westchester, PA; a granddaughter, Aislinn; and a grandson, Cather.
A precious soul. He was there for my family when we really needed him. May he rest in peace. Love to all
A compassionate, gentle, caring and much loved pastor in Dimmitt First United Methodist. We were so blessed. Jane and family you have our love and prayers for your loss of this beautiful soul.
So many memories listening to Vernon as a kid and the gentle calming voice he had. Prayers for the family and sending my love.
We send our thoughts and prayers to you. He was a great preacher and friend to us. Bennita & Bob Skidmore
Vernon will truly be missed by many! He was a true man of God! Prayers for your family!
What an incredible man Vernon was! I always felt like he was the true “hands and feet of Jesus.”
So sorry for your loss. He was a great man always so kind may he RIP the family is in my prayers! Hod bless!
I just can’t begin to say how very special Vernon was to me and my family! I loved Jane and I am an educator because of her. What a very special man and I can’t imagine all of the lives that Vernon and Jane have touched. Without a doubt they have touched my life in such a special way!! Prayers to all!
Vernon and Jane were so sweet when they were at Forest Hill When I was a senior, he and Jane drove 3 of us girls to Abilene for a recruitment weekend at McMurray. He had new tires on his car that had something to do with smoothing out ridges in the road. He was excited about these tires and kept driving from the highway over to the shoulder to show us girls how great these tires were. And he would honk every time he passed other cars. Being girls we didn’t appreciate tires! Or honking! Lol. But it was memorable.
Vernon married my husband and me at Forest Hill in 1969. We were married 45 years until Dan’s passing, so the wedding must have worked. My parents Ted and Vergie Cummings thought a lot of him and Jane. I still have and use the cookbook Jane gave me when I married.