Raymond Boone Kelly Jr. ’44

Ray died at home in Fort Worth, Tex., Nov. 26, 2003, after a valiant battle with cancer.

He came to Princeton from Phillips Academy, Andover, and majored in mechanical engineering, graduating with high honors. He was a member of Triangle and Elm Clubs. His roommates included Will Robinson, Al Bingham, Bill Jamison, Roswell Miller, and Hugh Chaplin. Hugh was one of the honorary pallbearers at Ray's funeral.

Ray spent more than two years in the Navy, rising to the rank of lieutenant. After working for Humble Oil and other petroleum companies, he devoted himself to exploration and ranching, much of it as owner of Calvert Drilling Inc. and related companies. He worked in coalmine rehabilitation in Pennsylvania, did technical drilling for the Atomic Energy Commission, and mineral exploration in Iran. He served as mayor of Westover Hills, Tex., and was a founder of Overton Bank.

He is survived by his wife, Martha; four children, Brooke, Raymond III, Jon, and W. Whitney, and 13 grandchildren, to whom his classmates send their sincere regrets.

The Class of 1944