Kelly Lynn Deckard passed away on February 3, 2024, in Batesville, Arkansas. He was born at Herr Hospital in Heber Springs, Arkansas on February 13, 1954, to his parents Elsie Higgs and Earl Warner Deckard.
Kelly and his late wife Sandy Matthews Deckard were owners and proprietors of Bethesda Grocery, where they were friends to all.
As a child and adult, he was an accomplished horseman. He rode in parades and rodeos with his nieces and friends.
His beautiful imagination and fantastic memory were used when driving a long-nosed Peterbilt cross country and Canada. He would call his sister late at night and describe his day and location.
He loved his family and friends with his whole heart. His immediate family was number one and grands called him Poppy. A hug would get them an ice cream cone. Kelly and his best friend Larry West spent years collecting antiques and unique finds. He never forgot anything.
Kelly is survived by his son Zachary Gordon Deckard, Misty White (Joe), and Jerry Paul Grissom (Teresa); and his grandchildren Katey, Jennifer, and Kenna; and his great-grandchildren, Slade, Maybree, Newt, and Landry. His sister Patricia Dickinson (Richard); nieces Carrie Day and Tracy Dickinson, and great nephew Jesse Lee Tipton of Little Rock, Arkansas.
A special thank you to Kelly’s caregivers at Eagle Mountain Assisted Living.
Instead of flowers, memorials can be made to the Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, 100 St. Vincent Place, Batesville, Arkansas 72501.
”They call me the breeze”
