Leland “Lee” Kelly, 62, passed away at his home on September 15.

Lee was preceded in death by his loving parents, James and Charlotte Kelly. He will also be greeted at the pearly gates by his beloved dog, Pete, who passed away at the remarkable age of 22 just one week before Lee. It seems fitting that the two should be reunited.

Lee leaves behind his brother and sister, Patrick and Catherine; sister-in-law CeAnn; nieces Landry, Lauren, Casey, and Kelly; nephews-in-law Ross and Will; and his great-niece, Rose. He also leaves behind countless cousins, friends and co-workers who were fortunate enough to know him.

Lee spent most of his career at Ryan Herco, where he formed many lasting friendships and became a beloved member of the team. His colleagues will remember not only his dedication and knowledge, but also his unmistakable sense of humor.

In fact, Lee would probably have insisted that his obituary begin with the words, “Bring out your dead!”—a fitting nod to his wicked sense of humor and his appreciation for Monty Python. We can almost hear him making the suggestion himself.

Beyond his humor, Lee was an incredibly creative and curious person. He dabbled in art and music and had a deep, lifelong intellectual curiosity. He loved learning new things and, perhaps even more, loved sharing what he discovered with his family and friends. A conversation with Lee could lead almost anywhere, and there was always something new to learn, consider, or laugh about.

Lee will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the many people whose lives he touched.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 29th at 4 pm at Huntwick Forest Clubhouse, 5300 Coral Gables, Houston, TX

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lee’s memory to: NAMI Greater Houston or The ALS Association