Dave Kelley was a writer and journalist perhaps best known for his work as an automotive reporter for FOX TV in Austin, Texas, and Detroit, Michigan. Born in Shamrock, Texas, on St. Patrick's Day, 1963, Kelley graduated from the University of Texas in 1985. He began his writing career while a student at UT, publishing his early fiction writing in The Daily Texan.

Kelley was a seven-time winner of Boating Writers International writing awards for his work at Boating World and Boating Life. His work as a marine journalist led to the writing and publication of his book, Living & Working Onboard, in 2003.

A writer of wide-ranging interests and ability, Kelley wrote extensively about recreational astronomy, beer, golf, and travel. His work appeared in numerous magazines ranging from Cabin Life to Robb Report. Much of his writing is available online at Dave Kelley Online, and his automotive work can be seen at Street Beat. In addition to his on-camera work with FOX TV, Kelley wrote a regular column ("Gearing Up") for Voyaging Magazine, and was a senior editor at Boating World.

He lived in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Carey Elder Kelley. Kelley collapsed while jogging on Austin's Town Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail the morning of December 29, 2006. Despite heroic efforts by witnesses, he was not able to be revived.

For flowers, condolence cards, etc.,
Dave & Carey's address is
5001 Jeffery Place
Austin, TX 78746

From the Huns:
Email Charlie@InGratia.org for additions or changes.

Dave was a great friend and teammate. Always smiling. Please keep Dave's wife Carey and the rest of his family in your thoughts and prayers.
- John Traeger

Sano was a California boy with a great smile and a heart of gold. He was the ultimate team player. Dave played mostly B side in his career but when we needed him to step up he never failed us. In Dave's last game for the Hun's he was playing 8 man and just picking up the ball on every scrum and kicking ass! Dave had already scored once and on every 8 man pick up play he was running over people and rumbling down the field.

I remember because I was playing wing forward and was trying to get him to pass me the ball but on this day, Dave was possessed! We stole a hook within the 20 meter line and Dave took off towards the try line. I was right behind him yelling for the ball as he ran over player after player, finally diving over the try line for a score.Unfortunately, when he touched the ball down for the score a player fell on his wrist shattering it. I'll never forget picking him off the ground and seeing a bone protruding form his hand. Dave's Rugby career was over.

Over the years I and many other Huns have enjoyed playing golf with Dave and just talking Rugby. By the way, he was a pretty good golfer, until the 4th beer set in. I sit at my computer with tears in my eyes, very sadden about loosing a good friend and a great teammate. As funeral arrangements are being finalized, I want every present and former Hun to be part of the celebration of Dave's life. He emphitmized the Huns soul " Once a Huns, Always a Hun".
- John Banks

I remember that old car Sano drove when we first met him. It was his company car as he worked for Sano back then. None of us knew what a Sano was until he told us, but we knew who Sano was and Sano was Dave as of that day. I still have the Sano cap he gave me.

I had tons of great times with him from drinking beers at Nasty's or on a pitch after a game, New Year's Eve 95 on 6th st., St. Paddy's Day 2003 at Fado's, and on an on.

Spending time with him out in Huntington Beach, Ca. when he moved out there. He arranged for me to borrow a board and wetsuit from a friend so, I could go surfing that day. That night we sat in his backyard and drank rum and cokes talking.

While in Ca. he worked for Personal Watercraft as an editor and one of his articles was a column on tech tips. He told me that no one ever sent in a tech tip and he always had to make them up and create a name of a sender. More than several times I'd reveive a copy in the mail and sure enough there was a tech tip for which I was credited with having submitted. Keep in mind I didn't own a personal watercraft and to this day have never owned one.

Sano had some tough times out West and one that never went away was the fact that he couldn't get Shiner Bock out there. Once in a while I'd package up a case and mail it to him. He got his beer about half the time and the rest someone at UPS got it as they said it had to be destroyed due to it being illegal to ship beer across state lines or some garbage like that.

I also remember the miserable and lonely phone calls from Atlanta where he moved after catching his finance cheating on him in Calif. Soon after he quit the job in Atlanta and was back in Austin where he met a fantastic girl named Kerri who helped him get back on track to being the old Sano we all knew and loved.

As Brent stated earlier lets lift a beer to Sano as I'm doing that right now.

After the Horns football game tomorrow I think I'll head down to the Gingerbread Man Bar downtown as that is where Sano liked to hang out and drink beer. If anyone wants to join me send me an email and we'll arrange a time to meet, talk, and toast.

Farewell Sano; I Miss You
- Rick.
Once a Hun Always a Hun!

Never was there a kinder man.

Dave was the quickest with a disarming smile even when the bones were sticking out of his arm - a day that none of us will ever forget.

Dave's passing reminds us that life is so fragile; even for all of us tough ruggers. It reminds us to appreciate what we have. And mostly it reminds us to love the people we are so fortunate to have in our lives.
See ya on the other side, Dave.

- Mark
Dave's first pass at the Land video can be seen here.

I do not have words to express the sense of loss of a friend and teammate.

- Jack Bloom

Sano was one of the first guys I met when I joined the Huns in 91' as a still underaged 20 year old. I was thrilled after my first practice and found a bar I could regularly get into without problems. Sano was one of the first guys to welcome me and told me just to make not to tell Jack or James Elston of my true age. I never knew anyone who knew him to have a bad opinion of him. He was a great guy and will be truly missed.

- Zip

For the longest time, old friends who googled my name, would find this page (don't go if you are the queasy type)

I went to the hospital after the match to check on the Sano and there was a woman pacing in the lobby with a camera refusing to go into Sano's room. When I walked in wearing a rugby t-shirt, she murmured 'thank god,' shoved a camera in my hand and ran out the door. I went back into the ER to cheers from Sana and Carey: not for me, but for the camera. They immediately started shooting from all angles. They were obviously meant to be together when this ugly injury was turned into a hilarious photo-op including (if memory serves) some pics of the Carey doing her best imitation of a 'kiss will make it better.'

I remember him saying 'check this out' and then moving his fingers stating, 'I always thought you knew the bone was broken when you couldn't move your fingers.' Well he proved that one wrong.

Dave, you are one of the reasons I am a Hun. You were an inspiration to work hard, play hard, and always have fun.

-Mitch