Funeral held for Clinton's stepfather

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/national/index.ssf?/base/national-79/1170548062228170.xml&storylist=national

2/3/2007, 7:09 p.m. ET
By JILL ZEMAN
The Associated Press

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Bill Clinton and his family joined hundreds of mourners Saturday for the funeral of his stepfather, the man who the former president said brought his mother the "most secure, stable years she ever had."

Richard Kelley, a retired salesman, died Wednesday at his home at age 91 after a long battle with colon and liver cancer.

"He didn't wuss out at the end. It was all done with grace and love," Clinton told more than 600 people at First United Methodist Church, describing his stepfather's final moments. "I am very thankful to him for many things, but most of all for giving our mother the 12 most secure, stable years she ever had."

Clinton attended with his wife, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, and their daughter, Chelsea, who read an Irish benediction during the funeral service...



http://www.denverpost.com/ci_5131367

Stepdad called Clinton "my best friend"

Richard Kelley married the former president's mother, Virginia, in 1982. He died Wednesday in Arkansas.

By The Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 02/01/2007 01:21:53 AM MST


Hot Springs, Ark. - ...

Kelley ran a food brokerage business for many years in Little Rock before retiring in 1992. He met Clinton's mother at a horse racing track, and they married in 1982. It was his second marriage and her fourth.

At the time, Clinton was preparing for a campaign to regain the Arkansas governor's office...

"I would come to love Dick Kelley and grow ever more grateful for the happiness he brought Mother, and me," Clinton wrote in his memoir, "My Life."

Kelley became one of Clinton's favorite golf companions...

[CTyankee]

1. This is nice. Clinton and family gave a lovely farewell to someone who meant something to them.

That is a good thing.

We are so used to politicians being snarky, rude and downright awful, this is a good thing to see. Bless all of the Clintons, Bill, Hillary and Chelsea.

Real family values.

[man4allcats]

2. RIP, Mr. Kelley.

Best wishes to the Clinton family at this time.