Wayne Owen Kelly
December 27, 1945 ~ October 22, 2007
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Wayne Owen Kelly, 61, of 136 Fox Chase Rd. West, Asheville, died Monday, October 22, 2007, at his residence.
Mr. Kelly was born in Asheville and was a son of Helen Kirkpatrick Stevens and the late C.O. Kelly.
Mr. Kelly owned Kelly’s Barber Shop. He was a veteran of the US Navy, serving in Europe, and was a member of VFW.
He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. His kindness served as an example to his children.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Kelly is survived by his wife, Emma Saavedra Kelly; daughters, Lola, Catalina, and Alice; son, Diego and wife Jennifer; and grandson, Little Diego.
A memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. with the Rev. Fr. John M. Pagel officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 768 Asbury Rd., Candler, NC 28715.
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We shall miss Mr. Kelly. We have two boys and Mr. Kelly gave them their first haircut. He was a fine man. May his family be comforted. Peggy and Frank Gaddis
Dear Helen & Family
Please accept our sincere condolences on Wayne’s passing. We were shocked and saddened as we read about it. He was a friend and David’s barber for any years and we will miss him.
My condolences to the Kelly family. Wayne leaves a different legacy to each of us that knew him. To me it is a sense of humor and inside jokes we had, driving by and yelling trying to catch him off guard as he stood outside (which only worked once); and his strength and steadfastness–he is one of the figures from my childhood and neighborhood that added to the total feeling and sense of knowing you were ‘home’ as you arrive in west asheville. To his family, the people exposed to him the most: During this difficult time-I hope it may help to remember that you now carry on his legacy (by the way he touched you)–and you now go forward and share that with others until you see him again. God bless you all.
Tori Murdoch
I miss Wayne Kellys smile already. Rest in peace and know that we love you.
Brooke Burton and Craig Ostrander
Wayne Kelly, or as the family called him, ‘Kelly,’ was a major staple in the family. He gave two of grandkids first haircut, which they still remember. He cut my’?Martin’s’?hair for 15 years. He was great at his job. But, more than that, he was a pleasant man to be around. The last visit to the shop, Kelly told me how cute it was when his grandson felt his beard and said, ‘You are old.’ I could tell he loved his family.
He will be missed.
Thank You Wayne for being a good friend and barber and for all of the great conversation we had over the years. God Bless
All of your thoughts about Wayne touch our hearts and comfort us.
Wayne became a father to me and my three siblings when I was eight years old. He loved us completely. He instilled in me character, always pushing me to do better and to be better. He was the only father we knew and our lives are forever blessed because he was a part of it.
He meant the world to us and we loved him so much.
You may visit Wayne at the Mt Mariah church cemetary in Candler. I know that he was most happy in the company of good people, celebrating life. I know that I will celebrate Waynes life everyday and honor him by trying a little harder at everything I do.
Our family thanks you for all your support and kind words.
I’ve known Mr. Kelly and been one of his clients for over 40 years, for his barber shop was a short walk from where I grew up, my father went to him for haircuts, so that was good enough for me, Mr. Kelly being a old Navy man gave me a hardtime during my Marine Corps days, but was honored to cut my hair when I was home on leave, but the honor was all mine to know such a fine gentlemen, I will always remember Mr. Kelly, my condolesences to his family.
Wayne had cut my hair since my family moved to Asheville, from Maryland when I was 16. I grew up on Vermont Ave. When I would make a trip to Asheville from Florida I would always stop and see him. My family and I will be praying for his family. May God Bless You, Gary and Pam Prince
Mr. Kelly cut my hair since I was about 6..I’m 41 now..I haven’t been in town for a couple years..Sad to see him gone.West Asheville will never be the same.. I hope he gets to tell all the Irish his jokes..
Wayne will be missed dearly by our family. He was always happy to see our two little boys Benjamin and Gregory skip into his shop for a haircut and a lolly pop.
Our Deepest Sympathies,
Joe, Kathryn, Benjamin and Gregory Scott
Wayne was a wonderful man and touched my life; as he did many. He made me laugh, gave me fatherly advice and shared words of wisdom when my mother passed. He was loved by so many and will be missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
i had been one on his clients at his barber shop for many years he will be grately missed
Wayne was not only a great barber,he was also a great freind.I have known him for over 30 years ,We shared alot of good barber shop stories , with usually ended up with laughter. MAY GOD BLESS.
wayne i am going to miss you special a hair cut
Mr. Kelly will be greatly missed, and our sincere condolences go out to the family. We will keep you all in our thoughts and Prayers. He always greeted us with a smile everytime we walked in the shop, even when the little one didn’t want to get a cut, but he grew up to have much respect for Mr. Kelly, and will miss him very much, as will we all.
Wayne was a wonderful friend and I will miss him dearly.
My family are saddened to learn of Wayne’ passing. My sons and I went to Kelly’s for some twenty plus years before moving from the area. He was always interested in our family. He will be missed.
Wayne Kelly was an intelligent and witty man with a wealth of stories to share about his adventurous life and his beloved family. I had many occasions to talk with him and a few occasions to cry on his shoulder. He treated me very much in a fatherly way – giving advise when I requested it, and always asking me ‘are you happy?’; genuinely interested in the answer. He was also a great barber for my son until he decided to become a long haired hippy. Wayne always asked about him and was genuinely interested in how he was doing in young adulthood. Bottom line is that I will miss so many things about Wayne Kelly – I really did love the guy. My heart and thoughts go out to his family; he loved you all so much and was so proud of you.