DR. HARMON WATSON KELLEY
June 22, 1945 ~ January 26, 2023
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Dr. Kelley was born on June 22, 1945, in Cameron, Texas to Harmon & Shirley Kelley. As a boy, he worked in his family’s grocery store and had a daily newspaper route. He was valedictorian of O. J. Thomas High School in 1963. He then matriculated to Prairie View A&M University, where he graduated cum laude. While at Prairie View, he was a member of the Army ROTC and commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. He served for 8 years. At Prairie View, he met Harriet O’Banion and they later married June 21, 1969.
Dr. Kelley attended the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine in Galveston. After he graduated from medical school, Dr. Kelley went on active duty and he commenced his obstetrics and gynecology residency at William Beaumont Army Hospital in El Paso, Texas. He next was stationed at Ft. Hood in Killeen, Texas where he served as Chief of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Darnell Army Medical Center.
In 1978, Dr. Kelley moved to San Antonio and he founded Southeast OB-GYN Associates, P.A. where he practiced for 44 years; the past 20 years with Dr. Margaret Kelley, his daughter. Until his arrival, there had not been an Obstetrician and Gynecologist in the Southeast area of San Antonio. Dr. Kelley was a beloved, kind and competent doctor. He was board certified by the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and was a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. In 2011, he was awarded the Southside Chamber of Commerce Legends Award to honor his commitment and service to the Southside of San Antonio.
Dr. Kelley has served in a number of positions of physician leadership. From 1983-1984, he served as Chief of Staff of the former Southeast Baptist Hospital. From 1986-1987 and 2000-2001 he served as the Baptist Health System’s Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition, from 2001-2004, Dr. Kelley served on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Dr. Harmon W. Kelley received a number of distinguished honors. In 2004, The School of Excellence Charter School District in San Antonio, TX established the Dr. Harmon W. Kelley Elementary School in his honor. In 2006, he was awarded The Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumni (ASDA) Award, the highest alumni honor bestowed by the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine Alumni Association. The award recognizes outstanding service to the medical profession and to humanity. In 2010, he was awarded the Legend Award Who’s Who in Black San Antonio. In 2011, he received the Bexar County Medical Society’s highest honor, the Golden Aesculapius Award which recognized his lifetime of distinguished service as a Bexar County Medical Society member, to patients and the medical profession. This honor is not given annually and only given on occasion. He received the W. B. Russ Lifetime Achievement Award by the Baptist Health System. In April 2017, he received the Graceann Durr Humanitarian Award from the Methodist Healthcare System. In 2022, he received the C.A. Whittier Lifetime Achievement Award.
During Dr. Kelley’s lifetime he became an authority on African American Art. He was an emeritus board member of the McNay Art Museum.
Dr. Harmon W. Kelley died Thursday, January 26, 2023 of a heart attack. He was 77.
Dr. Kelley is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Harriet O’Banion Kelley, daughters, Margaret A. Kelley, M.D. and Jennifer R. Kelley, LCSW-S, ACSW-MBA, sister Constance Ward (husband Clifford Ward-deceased), brothers, Dr. Danny Kelley (wife Dr. Janice Kelley), David Kelley (wife Karen Kelley), Brother-in-Law Charles H. O’Banion, Esq (wife Miriam O’Banion-deceased), many nieces, nephews and his dog Pippin. Dr. Kelley was proceeded in death by his parents Harmon & Shirley Kelley and his brother Marvin Wayne Kelley (wife-Brenda Kelley).
The family would like thank the medical community that provided his care: Dr. Leo Edwards, Dr. Jude Espinoza, Dr. Caridad M Rebollar, Dr. Willy Wu, Dr. Richard Otero, Dr. Oscar Montemayor, Dr. Aldo Parodi, Dr. Dale Wood (deceased), Dr. Sal Barbaro, III, Dr. Roger Muse and his Southeast OB-GYN Associates, P.A. Staff.
Contributions in Dr. Harmon W. Kelley’s honor may be made to:
The American Heart Association
Services
Private Interment:
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Dr Kelley was on staff at Darnell hospital, Ft. Hood, TX in 1976 when my daughter was born in 1976.
I next saw Dr Kelley in early 1983 when my brother was in ICU at Southeast Baptist Hospital. After that, he was my doctor, as well as several other female members of my family; delivering an extended family. I will miss his heartfelt inquiries of my family, and never dismissing my time as inadequate.
God bless you Dr Harmon, and may your feel for the birth of new life and women’s health continue.
Barbara Weaver
Dr Kelley was an absolutely gifted man. He was here for a true purpose and he served well. He took on his patient’s as family. He delivered both of my boys and was my Dr for over 30 years. He would always ask about my husband, boys and my sister Barbara Randle, who worked with Dr. Kelley. One day I was telling him about my boys graduating from college and a few days later he sent my a postcard of how proud he was of my marriage and children. He was such a personable, gentle soul. He will be missed and never forgotten. Praying for you, Mrs. Kelley, Margaret and Jennifer.
A true beacon shinning bright. An outstanding person who made a mark and he lit up the room. I will always remember his very early morning smiling face at the Southeast Baptist Hospital doctor’s dressing room. Let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Condolences and prayers go out to the Kelly family.
Dr Kelly was my Dr. For many years, a kind & caring Dr.We shared the love of Black art .He will be missed .Our deepest sympathies to his family.
My sincerest condolences to the Kelley family. I’m so saddened to hear of the passing of not only a wonderful doctor but also a great friend my heart is broken. Dr. Kelley will never be forgotten he is a legend of greatness. May you rest in peace dear friend thank you for many,many great years of taking care of me and standing up for me since i was 15yrs old. Thank you for delivering all my children and literally saving my life so many times you were a blessing to us all.
Dear Mrs. Kelley and beautiful daughters, my sincere condolences to you at this this difficult time. Dr. Kelley was truly a blessing to me since I was 17yrs old and now I am 66. He delivered my daughter who is now 34 yrs old.I have been living in Nashville Tennessee since 1998 and every year I come home to San Antonio for my yearly exam up until this date. Dr. Kelley was a man of great faith,integrity,wisdom and such a beacon of light with that big smile.
My prayer is that God comfort you all and continue to strengthen and bless you.
Brenda Jones
Nashville, Tennessee
To Harriet, Margaret, and Jennifer.
My sincerest condolences at the loss of your husband & father. Dr. Kelley gave guidance to me in 1994 when I became the only African American Female Family physicians serving the East, Southeast and Southside patients at Southeast Baptist Hospital.
I will always be grateful for his support and encouragement.
The Southeast Baptist Physicians were truly a family and close knit medical team and Dr. Kelley was a glowing example of excellence for me to emulate.
Rest in Peace Dr. Kelley, to God be the Glory for the good things you have done in your life.
May the Peace of the Lord embrace you all during this time of loss.
Condolences to Dr. Harmon Kelley’s family. He was a wonderful doctor. May the Lord continue to comfort and strengthen you all.
Dear Mrs. Kelley, Margaret and Jennifer, please accept my sincere condolences about the passing of sweet Harmon. I remember him as being concerned and positive about both Margaret and Jennifer when they were in fourth grade. I have followed you, Margaret, because your sweet Mom would call to tell me all about what you were doing. I even have the picture and article about you when it was in SA Woman. It hangs in my art studio. I have always admired your parents fabulous art collection and smiled every time I read about the latest accolade to them! May God bless you and give you all Peace. With Love,
Dear Mrs. Kelley, Margaret, and Jennifer, my sincere condolences to you and your family. May memories of the love and joy that you shared sustain you, and may the loving arms of God embrace you.
Dr. Kelley gave me my first real office job, he was my personal physician and delivered both my children. He shares a birthday with my son. I am thankful for all these experiences. May he rest in Heavenly peace ðŸ™ðŸ½â¤ï¸ðŸ¤±ðŸ½
I was around the family when we were young kids growing up.We had so much fun playing in the School Band .Great memories. Love to Harriet and the girls . He was a great man!
My Condolences to the family.
A blessing to so many! You gentle kindness and smile will live in our hearts forever! Delivered our children and many of our grandchildren! We spoke of all the miracles he helped contribute. Blessed to have seen you just two weeks prior! Rest In Peace Dr Kelley! Prayers of comfort and peace to your family! ðŸ™ðŸ’•ðŸ™
Dr Kelley was my personal physician. He was the type of doctor that you wished all doctors were like. If all doctors treated their patients the way Dr Kelley did, life for the patients would be ideal. He had a sincere concern for the health of his patients. Just an all-around good person. He will be missed.
My condolences to his family.
My condolences to the family. Dr. Harmon Kelley was my doctor for over 25 years. He was a sweet and gentle doctor which I had all my trust in him.