"Gone But Not Forgotten"
Submitted By: Jeannette Melton
Date: 06/25/1999

I grew up with the original series and my son watched the movies. Kelley will be greatly missed in this household. As he once kidded about having "He's dead, Jim" put on his headstone when he died, that almost would be a great tribute to DeForest Kelley.

"The Triumvirate Is Dead"
Submitted By: Ed Blash
Date: 07/01/1999

Star Trek, along with all my other favorite shows of the 1960's, formed the fondest part of my lifelong memories. DeForest Kelley (AKA Bones) will forever represent the most human and enduring figure of the original Star Trek cast. Where Spock was the logical / scientific figure and James T. Kirk was the quintessential hero, Bones was the "everyman" who represented the conscience and humanity of which the viewing public could readily relate. I will miss all those from this TV era who have passed on gently into the night, yet I know that I was very fortunate to be alive and young while these shows were in their original airing. The 1950's and 1960's were the best in terms of originality, energy, and imagination. Star Trek, Dr. Bones and all the other great TV / movie characters will live forever in digital media and more importantly in the hearts of their devoted fans. DeForest, I hope to see you down that ultimate black hole and tunnel of light, farewell my friend.

"He's Not Really Dead"
Submitted By: Kimberly Sickel
Date: 07/03/1999

My brother and I used to watch Star Trek in the early 1970's and memorized all the titles of all the shows. I remember wanting to be like Spock - logical and unemotional - but I've grown up to be just like Dr. McCoy - proud of my ability to feel and glad that I am Terran. I'm sure that DeForest Kelley would approve and bounce up and down on his Starfleet heels in that way that he has knowing that his pride in the human race helped me find and believe in who I am. My brother and I also decided that he's not really dead because he really hasn't even been born yet.

"My Country Cousin - The Doctor"
Submitted By: Lila Kelley Adams
Date: 07/10/1999

DeForest Kelley is my cousin. His father - the minister - was known in my family as "Uncle Ern," who was a brother to my grandfather - also a Baptist minister. We grew up in a very small town, Toccoa, Georgia. I can remember visiting Uncle Ern when he lived briefly with his brother, Tom, after De's mother, Clora, died.

I never met De, but grew up with a family that referred to him and Carolyn as long distance family. My Aunt Gladys spoke with him often and they wrote also. When I was in grade school, my mother wrote to De and said I needed a "show and tell" story and that no one at school believed me when I told them I was his cousin. So De sent an autographed picture with "Cousin" on it and a note to me on Star Trek stationary. This was a big hit at school! Unfortunately, with the carelessness often in youth, I have forever
misplaced those items and they cannot be replaced.

When my first daughter was old enough to be told about DeForest, the Star Trek movies were just becoming popular. I gave her De's home address and told her to write him for a picture. She wrote "Aunt Gladys is my Aunt, too" because we often visited Gladys and she knew they still communicated. We received a package back promptly with an autographed picture to my daughter and it is framed and on display in our home. All of my siblings also have pictures signed by De, as he always sent one when we wrote.

I never met De, but because our family is close and grew up in a small town, I know that he sounds much like my father and my Aunt always were: humble and kind. Sadly, they have all passed now and my cousin Casey - named for De's brother - lives in Aunt Gladys' house and Uncle Ern and Uncle Tom's house was torn down for a duplex.

As a "Kelley," I am most impressed by the kind remarks I have seen and read about De. There is plenty of Hollywood trash that is relayed about entertainers, but here is a man that, for the forty years I have been alive, lived at the same address and stayed married to the same wife. My father always said that when a man is gone, all he has left is his reputation.

Thanks De, for showing the world that not all people turn "Hollywood."

"He Will Be Greatly Missed"
Submitted By: Matthew Parrott
Date: 07/13/1999

You may find this pretty hard to believe, but I have only just found out that DeForest Kelley passed away on the 11th June. Anyway, I am a great fan of the original series and the first 6 movies and I think anyone with a glimmer of appreciation for Star Trek will miss him greatly. The things I will always remember are his "discussions" with Spock! Although I never met him, I feel that I had known him most of my life and I will miss him very much. It's always sad when someone who has touched the hearts of so many passes away, but like he said in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, "He's really not dead as long as we remember him."

"What An Influence"
Submitted By: Scotty (AKA Catherine Scott)
Date: 07/17/1999

Just wanted to say that "Bones" came into my life at a good time and helped me help my trainees (long term unemployed with low education, poor English, and next to no self-esteem/confidence) as I used a lot of Star Trek, mainly clips that dealt with how he dealt with life. I liked what the man behind the character was like as well - laid-back and without that need to expose the underbelly of fame. I hope his family knows what they had and how many of us wish them well and think of them.

"In Memory of DeForest Kelley and 'Dr. McCoy'"
Submitted By: Mark Martini
Date: 07/19/1999

For a very lonely little boy, he was not a doctor - he was my friend. Rest in Peace, Mr. Kelley.

"Second Star to the Right'"
Submitted By: Kevin Willis
Date: 07/22/1999

DeForest was the logic of Spock and the humanity of Kirk both on screen and in real life. In an age of few heroes and even fewer role models, he stood tall as a shining example of someone that everyone could look up to. He won all of our hearts as Dr. McCoy. Everyone who has ever been a Trekker knows there will never be a replacement on the face of this world, or any other for him. He led us into places we could only dream of going. He was truly a man to be admired for the drive he put into playing the role of our beloved McCoy. If we all worked as hard in everything that we do, this world would be a better place for us all. The world of Star Trek will never be the same, and neither will my heart, for my love of this is eternal, as are my feelings for the impressions and the differences he has made in my life. I will miss you DeForest, and every time I watch a Star Trek and the tears roll down my face you will be alive again, not only in my memories but in my life. The world is a little brighter just because you were here. You will be missed for generations to come. For we all know your pain is no more, but for those of us that loved you, ours is just beginning.

"When he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night, and pay no worship to the garish sun." --William Shakespeare

We love you and will keep you alive in our hearts and in our minds. Until the day we see you again, we will take comfort in the fact that 'tis a far better thing than you have done before, a far better resting place that you have gone to.

These words in this letter do not do justice to the pain that I feel over the Death of DeForest Kelley. Then again, no words are ever good enough to express how you feel about one of your Heroes, or their death. I will miss you, for a long time to come.

"Mr. Kelley"
Submitted By: Tommy Stephens
Date: 07/24/1999

I grew up watching Star Trek. Although it was all the reruns, I still felt deeply about all the cast. Then, when they started making the movies, I became engrossed within them all. I love Star Trek, not because of the sci-fi aspect of the whole thing, but because while I watched each episode, each movie, I actually started to really care about this crew. I can remember crying when Spock died in "The Wrath Of Khan." And now that a death has actually occurred, I am deeply saddened!!!! De brought humor to the whole "Star Trek" phenomena with his little wise cracks, his country voice, and all those wonderful moments between him and Spock. He was the only character on any of the shows that never really seemed to be acting. You could almost sense that Mr. Kelley and Dr. McCoy were the same person. You will be deeply missed, Mr. Kelley.