Oberlin’s long-time former fire chief and firefighter Lawrence Ray Kelly Sr. died Tuesday, September 27, and was buried Friday, September 30, with honors.
A color guard and line of fire trucks led him to his final resting space. Lawrence Ray Kelly Sr., 75, (January 3, 1947- September 27, 2022) served Oberlin for 36 years as a firefighter and eventually chief.
Ryan Daigle, fire chief for Oberlin Fire Chief District Five, said, Kelly served the district from 1995 to his retirement around 2013 or 2014. “He was chief for about 18 years. He joined the department in 1978 as a volunteer firefighter.”
Daigle said they were glad to escort Kelly from his home, where he died, to the funeral home. Then they escorted him from the funeral home in Kinder to the funeral home in Oberlin and then to his gravesite.
Trucks came from Kinder, Oberlin, Crowley, the Coushatta Tribe and other areas to pay respect to Kelly’s years of service. The ladder truck from Crowley was used to display the American flag.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oberlin. Rev. Greg Willis officiated. Burial followed at Oaklin Springs Cemetery.
Lawrence was a lifelong resident of Oberlin, born to Roy and Famie Kelly, and a lifelong member of Christ Church of Oakdale. Besides his dedication and volunteering for the fire department, he worked on a dredge boat and drove a gas truck. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and gardening. He also enjoyed being around his family.
His survivors include his wife, Belinda Kelly; daughter, Candi Veazey and husband, Artis Jr., of Oberlin; two sisters, Anita Sonnier and husband, Alton, of Oberlin and Bonnie McNabb of Oberlin; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one step-granddaughter; and three step great-grandchildren.
