Parents, disabled son killed after their Galveston home of 30 years goes up in flames, family says

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A sad scene unfolded on Sunday morning after a senior couple and their disabled adult son were found dead in the rubble after a house fire in Galveston, according to officials.

The Galveston Fire Department said the home on Sealy Avenue at 12th Street went up in flames around 7:30 a.m.

Jason Sullivan, the couple's other son, identified the victims as his mother, 77-year-old Frances Kelly, his stepfather, 83-year-old Martin Kelly, and his brother, 47-year-old David Kelly.

Sullivan said Martin Kelly raised him and his siblings "from childhood" and would have turned 84 this upcoming Wednesday. He said his parents also planned to make their final mortgage payment on the home this week.

He said his brother, David Kelly, was physically and intellectually disabled and used a wheelchair.

"My little brother was a true spirit. (My parents) sacrificed everything to make sure that they could provide a life for him," Sullivan said.

"The only glimmer out of this at all is that my little brother won't have to witness his parents pass away without him," Sullivan said. "In a way, it's a blessing that they all went together as a family.

Neighbors told Eyewitness News that Frances Kelly was a "pillar" of the community. She was a longtime member of the East End Historic District Association. The group renamed the EEHDA Fall Garden Tour the "Fran Kelly Garden Tour" in 2021.

On Sunday, they released this statement on her death:

"Dear EEHDA members,

It is with a heavy heart that we share with you the tragic loss of the Kelly Family in a fire at their home on Sunday morning. We are all mourning the loss of an icon of the East End Historic District Association (EEHDA), Fran Kelly, her husband Marty, and their son David. Fran was a remarkable individual who has been so integral to the success of EEHDA for so many years. She has been a member for over 30 years and has devoted incalculable hours of her time to ensuring the success of the Christmas Homes tour as Volunteer Coordinator and House Chairman. Fran had an intense love of flowers and gardening, and because of this, she started the very popular EEHDA Fall Garden Tour in 2010, which has been a remarkable success. And in 2021, it was permanently renamed the Fran Kelly Fall Garden Tour in her honor.

In addition to these major events, Fran was the Cottage Chairman for many years, the Darraugh Park Chairman, and the Alderdyce Park Chairman. She sat on numerous committees over the years, including the Rules Committee, Nominating Committee, Streetlight Subcommittee, and many others. If there were a need for a committee volunteer, Fran would step forward. Despite all of this, Fran Kelly had a profound humility, never wishing to be recognized or in the spotlight. She never sought leadership of EEHDA, preferring instead to be a behind-the-scenes general of these many events and activities. Fran accomplished all of this while being a devoted mother to her son David, a loving wife to her husband Marty, and a friend to many. They will be sorely missed.

To honor Fran and the Kelly family, EEHDA will host a potluck dinner on Friday, Feb. 2, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Cottage, 1501 Postoffice. Fran especially loved these events, so we could think of no better way to honor her memory. Please come join us to honor Fran, Marty, and David."

For live updates, watch ABC13 newscasts throughout the afternoon and follow Shannon Ryan on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.