Lawrence C. Kelly 88, died February 1, 2021, after a five-day stay in Presbyterian Hospital, Denton, TX, with family members in attendance. He was born in Oklahoma City, OK, on December 3, 1932, the oldest child of Esther Beavin Kelly and Charles L. Kelly. He attended high school at St. Gregory's in Shawnee, OK, and college at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, where he met his future wife, Mary Margaret (Peggy) Keating. He also received a master's degree in American History there, before beginning military service in the United States Navy for three years as a junior officer. After leaving the military, the family moved to Albuquerque, NM, where he completed his PhD. He began teaching at North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) in 1968, where he taught over thirty years. Following his retirement, he worked as a consultant and expert witness for several law firms in New Mexico, on cases involving Native Americans and federal/state governments on issues of tribal identity, reservation lands and water rights. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish for fifty years.

Survivors include his wife of sixty-five years, Peggy, daughters Kathleen Kelly of Oakland, CA, Eileen Burkart of Falls Church, VA, Sheila Kelly of Dallas, TX, sons Sean Kelly of Albuquerque, NM, and Kevin Kelly of Denver, CO; two sons-in-law and one daughter-in-law; ten cherished grandchildren; and one sister, Patricia Tower of Oklahoma City, OK.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to Interfaith Ministries, 1109 N. Elm Street, Denton, TX 76201; Msgr. King Outreach Center, MKOCoffice@gmail.com; St. Gregory's Abbey, 1900 W. MacArthur Street, Shawnee, OK, 74804; or Immaculate Conception Catholic School Tuition Fund.