Clifton Vernon "CV" McKelvy, Sr., 87, was born March 6, 1933 in his family home in Bay City, Texas and died peacefully on May 15, 2020 at home on his family's same property.

CV was the second born son to Mart Vernon McKelvy and Nola Stroud McKelvy. He attended Bay City High School (class of 1951) where he met the love of his life, Mary Edith Jeanes, a California girl! They were the typical high school sweethearts – he was on the football team and she was a cheerleader. CV and Mary dated four years and were married on June 16, 1951, a total of 71 years together. He was rice farmer with his family, but eventually broke that mold when he went on to sell insurance as an agent with State Farm for 49 years.

CV loved sports – he refereed football for 30+ years, coached little league baseball, and played softball with the Magic Caps. He was an avid fan of the Bay City Black Cats, the University of Texas Longhorns, and the Houston Astros. He had many hobbies including watching college football, collecting pocketknives, listening to the Bee Gees, four-wheeling, riding motorcycles, shooting pool, boating, fishing, golfing, volleyball, and cycling. CV loved figs, especially Mary's homemade fig preserves, and was known to help himself to the local fig trees in the city! He was a member of the NRA Golden Eagles and enjoyed taking shooting classes at Thunder Ranch. He was a Patriot who loved God, The USA, and The American Flag.

CV enjoyed helping friends, family, and his community. He always had a smile on his face and loved visiting with people.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Edith Jeanes McKelvy, his parents, Mart and Nola, and his elder brother, George Robert McKelvy.

He is survived by his children, Sherry Lynn McKelvy, Clifton Vernon McKelvy, Jr. wife Lety, Patti Kay McKelvy, and Jay Alan McKelvy and wife Evyan, his grandchildren Jennifer Harrison, Jessica McClintock and husband Jason, Mark Adkins II and wife Jennifer, Mary Slayden and husband Mitchell, Tyler McKelvy, Noelle Harrison, 3 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Services will follow at 2:00 pm. with Pastor Kenny Carter officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.  Pallbearers are Mark Adkins, Craig Estlinbaum, George McKelvy, Jeff Robinson, Mitchell Slayden, and Clifton Stroud.