Kelly August Kromer, age 88 of Lorena, TX passed away on Friday, September 15, 2023. Funeral services will be held at Bellmead Funeral Home on September 25, 2023 at 1:30 PM, graveside following at Waco Memorial.
Kelly was born on November 19, 1934 in Austin, TX to parents, Harvey and Edna (Rose) Kromer. He graduated high school in Round Rock, TX and then went on to attend college at Texas A&M University.
At the age of 18, he joined the Texas Army National Guard. Kelly went on to his career job working for the City of Austin, beginning at the bottom and worked his way up to superintendent in the Road and Bridge Division, where he later retired in 1996. While working for the City of Austin, Kelly worked many weekends operating heavy equipment tractors of his own. After retiring from the City of Austin, he continued working for himself even more. He later worked at Waste Management in Waco. If you knew Kelly at all, you knew that he loved to work and operate many types of equipment.
Kelly was a member of St. Richard's Episcopal Church in Round Rock. He was a Mason, a member of the Rebekah Lodge #23, the American Legion #121, the Odd Fellows and the Texas Early Day Tractors & Engine Association. He served on the Board of Trustees for the City of Austin Credit Union.
Kelly enjoyed tinkering on projects around the house, taking spontaneous trips with his wife, Colene and her twin sister, Maxine and her husband and operating tractors and heavy equipment. His love for tractors once won him a 2nd place trophy in a tractor competition.
Kelly was a hard-working, fun-loving, friendly, generous and gracious gentleman. He rarely met a stranger and would give you the shirt off of his back.
He was proceeded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Janie Colene Kromer, daughter, Renee Watkins Pace and grandson, Shawn Pace.
In closing, Colene would like to thank each and every one for your attendance here today. A special thanks to God for the wonderful years and memories with Kelly by her side.