Mr. Robert Kelly

Robert Kelly, 80, of Roswell, GA, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025. Bob was a beloved husband, a devoted brother to his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, a cherished uncle, a dear friend, neighbor, and fellow artist to many people throughout the years. Bob was a great cook and the “head chef” at many family gatherings, especially Thanksgiving dinner with his signature “Uncle Bob” recipes. Born on April 17, 1944, in Newark, NJ to Eugene and Audrey Kelly, Bob grew up in Hazlett, NJ for most of his childhood. Despite a serious, early childhood injury, he was never deterred from participating in sports and activities that other young people liked to do. Bob had a deep love for animals that he developed while helping his mother raise and show German Shepherds, winning numerous awards and trophies over the years. Bob began his life in the arts at the kitchen table with his mother, who had a natural talent for drawing and gave Bob his first John Nagy “How to Draw” book in the 1950’s. He continued those artistic pursuits throughout his school years and graduated from Monmouth College (1962), majoring in fine art, and the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts (1966), majoring in illustration and advertising. In his early career, Bob worked for several consumer product companies in marketing promotion and graphic design in the New York City area before starting his own company, Envision Design Inc. In partnership with a number of other design and marketing professionals, Bob built an impressive list of clients, including Pepsico, General Foods, Delta Airlines, SunTrust Bank, and AGCO Corporation, among others. When he retired in 2010, he returned to his first love, fine art. Over the next ten years, he became a successful sculptor. He was juried into various prestigious national and regional art shows, including Sculpture in the Park (Loveland CO) and the National Sculpture Society Annual Awards Show (New York City/ Brookgreen Gardens, SC), winning many awards along the way. He was also represented by a number of well-known art galleries around the country in Charleston, Santa Fe, Palm Desert and Roswell GA. On June 21, 1980, Bob married the love of his life, Mary Kay Lanahan. The two shared a wonderful life together for over forty-four years, living in New York City, New Hope PA, Westport CT, Atlanta GA, retiring in Roswell GA in 2017. All through the years with their three “children” - all beautiful Golden Retrievers. Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Kay, his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and their spouses - Jane Lanahan, Eileen and Andy Moore, Timothy and Shawn Lanahan, Victor and Rose Lanahan, Thomas and Joye Lanahan, and Daniel and Cynthia Lanahan. He is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews and 18 grandnieces and grandnephews. A Funeral Mass will be held on March 2nd at 1:00 p.m. at Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center, 6700 Riverside Drive, Sandy Springs GA 30328. Following this service, a Rite of Committal Ceremony will take place as Bob will be interred in the Ignatius House Columbarium at the same location. The family would like to give special thanks to all of Bob’s caregivers at his assisted living facilities and GA Hospice Care, all of whom have taken such great care of him for many months. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation and/or Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center, Sandy Springs GA.

Mr. Robert Kelly

April 17, 1944 - February 8, 2025