Richard "Butch" Kelly

Richard “Butch” Kelly, age 82, of Catawba, Virginia died, Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on May 12, 1942, to the late Carmel and Dorothy Fink Kelly. Butch retired from Roanoke County Schools where he was a science teacher and energy manager. He was an avid volunteer for Nature Conservancy and many other organizations. He never met a stranger and had an insatiable appetite for learning. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Kelly; daughters, Lisa Thorne-Izes (Craig), Marlene Craig, and Rachel Ulrey (Chris); son Patrick Kelly; grandchildren, Diana Thorne, Justin Craig, Jonathan Thorne (Phoenix), Bradley Craig, Hannah Ulrey, and Nicole Izes; sisters, Rebecca Ketterman (Gary), and Teresa Sunday (Gary); brother, Carmel Kelly (Janet); and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 2:00 pm in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with the Deacon Mike Ellerbrock officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 pm prior to the service on Saturday, January 18, 2025. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to preserve.nature.org or Nature Conservancy Attn: Treasury, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, Va. 22203.