Kelly Dewayne Smallwood, age 64, passed away after a brief but courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. 

 

Kelly was born on September 10, 1961, to Donald D. and Sharon K. (Davis) Smallwood in Coffeyville, Kansas. Kelly grew up in rural Tyro, Kansas, and attended school at Caney Valley USD 436 and was a graduate of the class of 1979. After high school, he continued his education attending junior college in Claremore, Oklahoma, then on to OSU in Stillwater. It wasn’t until adulthood that he completed his bachelor's degree.

 

During Kelly’s childhood, his family shared a love of showing and riding Appaloosa Horses. They traveled showing horses all over the United States. In those travels, they gained an additional family and circle of friends. Kelly had a strong passion for training horses; the bond and trust that developed through that process taught him a lot and was good for his soul. 

 

Kelly was the proud dad of his two children, Madison and Andy, whom he loved deeply. He taught them to first love God and shared the gospel of Jesus with them. He also taught them the importance of hard work, keeping your word, and helping others; he did this through actions, not just words. Kelly had three granddaughters, Ryder, Ryverli, and Reini; they were the apple of his eye. 

 

Kelly spent a lifetime serving Christ, using his love of the Lord and horses to minister to others. He was the founder of the Ranch Hand Ministries that met every Wednesday evening at his home, weather permitting, sharing the Gospel and teaching others to ride horses. 

 

Kelly was a lifetime member of Tyro Christian Church where he was actively involved in Blake Allen’s Sunday School Class and a Monday evening Bible Study group. His church family was important to him. 

Kelly had several employment opportunities over the years; the one he enjoyed most was as a Farrier. He worked for 4-County for numerous years before going to the Independence School District working in maintenance up until his passing.

To define who Kelly was to many would be impossible, but all would agree that he was a man of God, had deep faith, loved his family fiercely, and helped and served where he could. He was trustworthy, a man of his word, loving, and caring. Deeply devoted to helping children attend church camp and had a strong relationship with his Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

 

Kelly’s legacy will live on through his children Madison Hockett and husband Cody, Andy Smallwood, grandchildren Ryder, Ryverli, and Reini Hockett, siblings Shelly Chaffin, Karon Smallwood, and Aaron Smallwood, special friend Cindy Hughes as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

 

A memorial service celebrating Kelly’s life will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 11 am at Tyro Christian Church, 301 S Market St, Tyro, KS. The family will receive friends also at Tyro Christian Church on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 6 to 8 pm. To leave an online message of condolence, share a memory or view the streaming of the service, visit his obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com 

For those wishing to honor Kelly’s memory through means of monetary contribution, the family requests those to be made payable to Journey to the Cross Rodeo Bible Camp, a ministry Kelly was passionate about. Those may be left in care of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel or mailed directly to the chapel at 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas 67337.

Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel has been entrusted with services.