Samuel Deane Kelley was born Dec 18th, 1958 in Little Rock, Arkansas at 4:03pm, Sam was a true renaissance man. Husband, father, Sampa, coach, Razorback fan, fixer, optimist, and friend. He wasn't driven by the pursuit of more, but by making an indelible and positive impact in this world. Never tethered to one idea or identity, he opted for a life of learning and embracing what the world presented to him. Volunteering as a coach for basketball at Pike View Elementary and the Boys and Girls Club of NLR, he drove his teams to compete, grow, but above all, respect and try to understand their teammates as people. He pushed them to see their own potential in the way he did and to view the world as a limitless adventure for those who are willing to dream. And as he did for all of us, he had an impact on them because he embodied everything he preached. In Sam's own words, "I live to accept and understand where others come from." This was his calling in life. He saw how fast the world changes and believed that "It's only through understanding others that will help us navigate it." He was always forward, never straight. He would say he was taking a shortcut that never ended up being short. But he knew what he was doing because when you called him on it, he would say, "You see the wrong things when you go the right way." The journey not the destination. Living in the moment. Taking time to appreciate and value each and every day. That was Sam. Reflecting on his life last week, Sam proclaimed, "It was all worth it." He passed knowing what a beautiful and unique life this is. He modeled that for all of us and we're better for it.

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow, What a ride!'" - Hunter S. Thompson

Sam passed away at his home in Sheridan on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at the age of 64.

Survivors: wife, Laura Burgess Kelley of Sheridan; daughters, Amy Kelley Bell (Matthew David) of Nashville, Tennessee, Audrey Ann Kelley Egan (Jon) of New York City, Madison Duke (Wyatt) of Benton; son, Dalton Harp (Breanna) of Sheridan; bonus mother, Kay Kelley of Florida; brothers, Mike Kelley (Diane) of Maine, Kelly Kelley of Florida; sister, Julie Anselm (Don) of Florida; grandchildren, Addley Duke, Evan Tourtillotte, Dean Egan, Bentley Harp; father and mother in law, Jim and Carol Burgess of Sheridan; and numerous extended family members and friends.

We will celebrate Sam's life on Friday, May 19, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with Matthew David Bell and Jon Eagin officiating. Visitation will be at 1:00 P.M. until service time.

The family would like to extend a sincere thankyou to Baptist Hospice and Denise Holiman for the care they provided him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of North Little Rock.