Richard Charles Kelly

Richard Charles Kelly, 53, passed away on December 25, 2024, at the Levine Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville, NC after a strong battle with esophageal cancer. He was a native of Salisbury, NC and resided in Charlotte, NC. Rick was a loving father to Bartholomew Gage Kelly of Myrtle Beach. He was a supportive brother to Michael Kelly of Huntersville. He was the light of life for his fiance, Wendy McElhinny of Charlotte. Rick’s rescue dogs, Remy and Mildred, were his constant companions. Rick was preceded in death by his father, Richard Lang Kelly, and his mother, Sandra Ellen Wilkerson. 

Rick was a 1989 graduate of Salisbury High School where he excelled in wrestling and computer skills. He attended Eastern Carolina University before deciding to pursue his trade. Rick was a talented craftsman. His bathroom and kitchen remodel designs were creative, yet practical. His integrity on the job was unmatched. Rick preferred to work alone on remodeling projects because no one else would do the job to meet his high standards. Rick developed personal relationships with many of his homeowners. He treated them like they were family and friends, not clients. Anyone who has work in their house, that was done by R. Kelly, knows they are special.

Rick loved being active in life. He enjoyed running and lifting weights; walking on the neighborhood greenway; hiking at Latta Nature Reserve, and kayaking. He enjoyed traveling to Vegas to gamble and watch shows. Despite losing track of time and almost missing his ride back to Vegas, he spent a wonderful afternoon exploring the Grand Canyon. He had fun walking around Hollywood and Santa Monica, CA to people-watch and film videos. Rick’s favorite trip was to Oahu, Hawaii where he hiked to see waterfalls, ate delicious food, was amazed by sea turtles, and he even tried to surf. 

Rick enjoyed entertaining people and making them laugh. His YouTube channel was the source of hours of entertainment for people from all walks of life. Rick lived his life to make other people happy. He could have known you since you were 8 years old or he might have just met you at the gas station, but he would treat you with respect and kindness. 

There will be a memorial event for family and friends in the Spring to honor Rick and his love of being active in the outdoors. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make donations to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.cff.org/donate) in Rick's name.