1947
Richard
2017
Richard Kerley
April 30, 1947 — December 28, 2017
Richard W. Kerley passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2017 in Texas Health HEB Hospital in Bedford, TX from complications of heart disease. He is survived by his wife, Arlene Kerley; son Wade Kerley from Richard’s first marriage to Dayna Weaver Kerley, and Wade’s wife Tracy Homann Kerley; grandsons Gage and Garett Kerley; sister, Glenda Moberg and husband Paul Moberg; nieces Jennifer Wilson and Daniele Manfre and their families; and many other extended family members and friends. The Celebration of Life is will be held at the Newport Dunes Marina Clubhouse on March 24 at 1:30 p.m. It is located at 101 N. Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
Richard was born in Comanche, Texas on April 30,1947 to the late Claborn and Vivian Kerley. The family moved several times during his childhood from Comanche to Midland Texas and ended up in Orange County California where Richard graduated from Corona Del Mar High School and attended Orange County College. His son, Wade Kerley, was born to Richard and his first wife Dayna Kerley in 1967. Richard met and married Arlene Landes Kerley in 1974 in Newport Beach, CA. They enjoyed a wonderful marriage of 43 years. They traveled the world together, played lots of tennis, enjoyed the beach, snorkeling, tubing in Butte Creek Canyon, and snow skiing in Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley.
Richard’s first career was in the airline industry. Richard held executive positions in airline marketing, sales, and advertising with several airlines throughout his career. He began his airline career at LA Airways in 1967. He joined Hughes Air West in 1969 and then Air California in 1972 in Newport Beach, CA. The Kerleys then relocated to Chico, Ca in 1981 where Richard joined Pacific Express Airlines. In 1984 Rich and Arlene returned to Southern California where Richard worked for Basso and Associates Advertising, and then Hawaiian Airlines. He was hired by AMR Services (American Airlines) and relocated to Dallas/Fort Worth to be Director of General Sales Agent Services in 1991. Richard was well known for his creativity and was one of the first in the airline industry to “think out of the box” in developing successful and innovative marketing and sales promotions. In 1994, Richard began a successful career in real estate in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Most of his real estate career was with Coldwell Banker or Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage where he worked with Arlene as The Kerley Team. He was instrumental in the team’s ongoing success in the DFW real estate community.
Anyone that met Richard found out quickly that he truly never met a stranger. He had a huge, warm personality and had a way of making anyone he met feel special and comfortable. Richard had a smile that would light up a room. He loved his clients and knew how to listen to them and find exactly what they wanted. The greatest joy of Richard’s life was his son, Wade Kerley, Wade’s wife Tracy and their two sons, Garett and Gage. He was so proud of them. Richard will be greatly missed by all who knew him and especially by his wife, Arlene. He was the love of her life.They were true soul mates and best friends.
In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests donations to the following worthy local animal rescue centers:
Second Chance Farm in Granbury Texas ( www.secondchancefarmgranbury.org )
Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of North Texas ( www.MSRNT.com )
Ranch Hand Rescue - Counseling Center and Animal Sanctuary of Argyle Texas (ranchhandrescue.org)
Richard was born in Comanche, Texas on April 30,1947 to the late Claborn and Vivian Kerley. The family moved several times during his childhood from Comanche to Midland Texas and ended up in Orange County California where Richard graduated from Corona Del Mar High School and attended Orange County College. His son, Wade Kerley, was born to Richard and his first wife Dayna Kerley in 1967. Richard met and married Arlene Landes Kerley in 1974 in Newport Beach, CA. They enjoyed a wonderful marriage of 43 years. They traveled the world together, played lots of tennis, enjoyed the beach, snorkeling, tubing in Butte Creek Canyon, and snow skiing in Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley.
Richard’s first career was in the airline industry. Richard held executive positions in airline marketing, sales, and advertising with several airlines throughout his career. He began his airline career at LA Airways in 1967. He joined Hughes Air West in 1969 and then Air California in 1972 in Newport Beach, CA. The Kerleys then relocated to Chico, Ca in 1981 where Richard joined Pacific Express Airlines. In 1984 Rich and Arlene returned to Southern California where Richard worked for Basso and Associates Advertising, and then Hawaiian Airlines. He was hired by AMR Services (American Airlines) and relocated to Dallas/Fort Worth to be Director of General Sales Agent Services in 1991. Richard was well known for his creativity and was one of the first in the airline industry to “think out of the box” in developing successful and innovative marketing and sales promotions. In 1994, Richard began a successful career in real estate in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Most of his real estate career was with Coldwell Banker or Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage where he worked with Arlene as The Kerley Team. He was instrumental in the team’s ongoing success in the DFW real estate community.
Anyone that met Richard found out quickly that he truly never met a stranger. He had a huge, warm personality and had a way of making anyone he met feel special and comfortable. Richard had a smile that would light up a room. He loved his clients and knew how to listen to them and find exactly what they wanted. The greatest joy of Richard’s life was his son, Wade Kerley, Wade’s wife Tracy and their two sons, Garett and Gage. He was so proud of them. Richard will be greatly missed by all who knew him and especially by his wife, Arlene. He was the love of her life.They were true soul mates and best friends.
In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests donations to the following worthy local animal rescue centers:
Second Chance Farm in Granbury Texas ( www.secondchancefarmgranbury.org )
Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of North Texas ( www.MSRNT.com )
Ranch Hand Rescue - Counseling Center and Animal Sanctuary of Argyle Texas (ranchhandrescue.org)
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