John Kellar

John was born in a little house on November 13, 1921 to Will and Buelah Kellar in Smithville, Texas. He was one of 8 children in their large family. He was forced to quit school at an early age to work on the farm which they were raised. Through many years of struggling and farming he and his family learned how to survive on very little. Early life learnings of work ethic and survival made a big impact later in life in multiple facets.

John met the love of his life, Dorothy in Smithville at an early age. They dated on a horse and shared a bond like no other. John anxiously awaited the blessing from Dorothy's parents for their daughter's hand in marriage at the young age of 20. (She was 17) They entered into the institution of marriage in a small Methodist Church in Smithville, Texas on the 9th day of February 1942. They spent their honeymoon night at John's parents house and the rest is history. When they said, "I do" it was for life in both of their eyes. The very definitions of commitment, loyalty, trust, patience, endurance, love and many others were exemplified through their actions.

John was notified that he would be going to war shortly after they were married. The love of his life wanted to ensure that she would always have a piece of him after he was gone so they decided to get pregnant before he left for war. Barbara was their first child and John was able to return home for her birth to meet his daughter. John returned to battle shortly after and was captured in a foxhole and was a POW in a German prison camp for over a year. His thoughts and memories of Dorothy helped him through some of the roughest times imaginable. His perseverance, drive, determination, and sheer toughness got him through an experience more difficult that we can imagine. One day, he came walking down the street after being missing in action to find his wife right there waiting for him. John, Dorothy and Barbara moved into a little shack as he tried to make ends meet with no support from the Government for his service of our country. Subsequently they added two more children, Patsy Jo and John Wayne, to their family in the following years. John made the decision to relocate his family to Houston for more income potential. He was a roughneck in the oilfields which were more plentiful in the Houston area. John worked really hard and long hours to support his family. We would all imagine this was very difficult work, but nothing compared to what he had been through during the war. Years later when Barbara, Patsy, and John Wayne had moved on and started their own families, John and Dorothy enjoyed spending time with their kids and grandkids. They retired together and then came great grandkids, and plenty of them! All in all, John and Dorothy had 10 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and they cherished them all. John went through the hardest time in his life 10 years ago when he lost the love of his life and wife of 61 years. After this significant loss, John's kids made a drastic impact in his life by the amount of time they spent with him. We believe they are one of the reasons why we were blessed to have him another 10 years.

Speaking on behalf of the entire family, we should all consider ourselves very lucky to have known this man. We should also feel blessed that we were decedents and have some of the great qualities he possessed. We would like to say how much we all respected him and how much we will miss him. Our Father/Brother/Grandfather/Great Grandfather etc inspired us all in many ways. His legacy will live on in all of us for the rest of our lives.

Lastly, I could not go without saying this... I hope that I am half the man he was at 90 when I'm 50! I'm not sure that I could at 42 do what he was doing at 90... Cutting acres of grass, weed eating for 4 hours straight, being in the sun all day! Wow!

The family will receive friends at All Faiths of the Pines on Thursday, February 7, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 8, 2013, at All Faiths of the Pines Chapel, Smithville, Texas.

Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery with military honors.

Arrangements by All Faiths of the Pines, 110 American Legion Rd., Smithville, Texas 78957. (512)237.3836