Kelly Anthony McCreary 1961-2023
Kelly Anthony McCreary, 61, passed away April 12, 2023 at his home in Mineola. A memorial service was held April 30, followed by interment at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in the McCreary family plot.
Kelly was born Oct. 8, 1961 in Tyler to Billy Bob and Rose Jeanetta (Grimes) McCreary. His boyhood was spent in the Mimosa-Emily-Peachtree neighborhood, riding his bike around Mineola, and his mini bike in Snake Canyon. He took piano and organ lessons and was a lifelong music fan. He participated in UIL and was on The Jacket Buzz staff. He especially liked covering concerts such as Leon Russell and reviewing albums. Kelly played football and ran track. He graduated from Mineola High School in 1980.
His parents’ families moved from Longview to Mineola in 1929 with the Texas & Pacific Railway Co. His father, both grandfathers, W.E. McCreary and D.E. Grimes, and great-grandfather Robert McCreary worked for the T&P. Kelly became a fourth generation railroader when he went to work for the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
Kelly also ran hobby shops in Tyler and Mineola. He loved to cook and attended culinary school. He was proud of the legacy and faith of his Irish Catholic family, loved music, movies and T&P memorabilia. He enjoyed adventures, great meals with classmates, and most of all was a loyal friend to those he loved.
His devotion to those he loved was evident in taking care of his mother during the last decade of her life. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his father in 1979 and his mother in 2013.
He is survived by his aunt, Margery Grimes; several cousins; special friends, Myron and Donna Palmer; lifelong friends in the MHS Class of 1980; and many others.
