[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 99 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO RICHARD COLEMAN KELLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARY BONO MACK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2012

  Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleague and 
friend, Congressman Ken Calvert, to honor and pay tribute to a dear 
friend, Richard Coleman Kelley. Richard passed away on Thursday, June 
14, 2012. A devoted husband, brother, father, and grandfather, he will 
be deeply missed.
  Richard was born March 19, 1930 in Corona, California to David and 
Margaret Kelley, who were beginning to develop their property in Hemet 
into a citrus grove. He attended schools in Corona, and after 
graduating from the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, California, he 
served honorably in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954. He 
spent a semester at the University of California at Davis before 
returning to work for his father on their family's ranch, only to later 
develop a citrus ranch of his own. In 1957, Richard married Jeanne Vig 
and continued to farm in Hemet while raising their three children, 
where he was partner of Kelley Citrus and owned Circle K Five Citrus.
  It is hard to imagine that Richard had any free time on his hands, 
and yet he always found time for his community and family. Richard was 
active in his church, was vice president of the Riverside County Farm 
Bureau, president of the Hemet Optimist Club, was active in parent-
teacher organizations, and supported every team and club in which his 
children participated. He also served on the board of Eastern Municipal 
Water District (EMWD) beginning in September of 1981, serving on the 
Legal Committee and as Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee. 
Richard also enjoyed inventing, skiing, jogging, and farming. In fact, 
many of Richard and Jeanne's ``vacations'' were spent helping work on 
their daughter's and son's farms in Idaho.
  In response to the high water costs that could have forced small 
farmers out of business in the early 1980s, Richard once said, 
``Agricultural water is my main interest . . . something has to be 
done.'' And as an EMWD board member and concerned citizen, he worked 
tirelessly to address this threat to an American way of life. That is 
just one testament to his can-do spirit and willingness to help solve 
problems in his home town that made him such a treasure to the 
Riverside County area for so long, and is what we will remember about 
him most.
  On Wednesday, June 27, 2012, a memorial service celebrating Richard's 
extraordinary life was held. Richard will always be remembered for his 
legendary work ethic, generosity, contributions to the community, and 
love of family. His dedication to his work, family, and community are a 
testament to a life well-lived and a legacy that will continue. I 
extend my deepest condolences to Richard's family and friends. Although 
Richard may be gone, the light and goodness he brought to our great 
State will never be diminished and will never be forgotten.
  Richard is survived by his children, Janice of Hemet, Kathy of 
Weiser, Idaho and Ron of Weiser, Idaho; five grandchildren; and his 
brother, former California State Assemblyman and Senator, David Kelley. 
Our thoughts and prayers are with Richard's family and the many others 
he touched.

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