Extracted from The News-Star (Monroe, LA)
Wednesday, July 23, 1947

KELLY'S DEATH TERMED SUICIDE

Caldwell Parish Former Marine Found Dead On Highway

COLUMBIA, La., July 23. --(Special)-- The death of Troy Lee Kelly, 26-year-old ex-marine and Caldwell parish farmer, who was found shot through the heart on the Grayson-Sikes road Tuesday morning, was termed a “shotgun suicide” by Dr. E. L. Carroll, parish coroner, who investigated the case.

Kelly, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Kelly, Clarks, had been farming in Ward 6 for the past few months, receiving government aid in its program for ex-servicemen.

He was shot once through the heart, Dr. Carroll said, and the sound of the discharge attracted neighbors to the scene in the road near his home. The time of the shooting was fixed at 7 o'clock.

Kelly, who served three and a half years with the marines in the Pacific and was in the first invasion of U. S. forces on Tarawa and Guadalcanal, had joined the church only Monday night during revival services at Heburn [sic Hebron] Church. Tuesday morning, it was reported, he began making preparations to attend the morning services at the church and, after shaving, was said to have walked a short distance from his home and the gun shot was heard a few minutes later.

No reason was given for the young man's action, but Dr. Carroll said he had been reported in a despondent condition since returning from service.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Heburn [sic Hebron] Church with the Rev. E. M. Mouser, Grayson Methodist minister, officiating. Interment will follow in Heburn [sic Hebron] Cemetery under the direction of Riser Funeral Home of Columbia.

The young man is survived by his parents and a sister, Mrs. Douce [sic Doyce] Cole, Clarks.