Prior to entering the world of professional wrestling, he was an avid rodeo fan and competitive bronco rider.

He served a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps in the early 1950s, where he first got a taste for grappling as part of the wrestling team.

[3] Kelly married his wife, Chris, in June 1958 and started his journey in pro-wrestling the following year in Louisville, Kentucky.

He became a top babyface in the territory, so much so that he didn't need to travel often, as was the case for the majority of wrestlers in the United States at the time.

[3] During his career, Kelly had memorable feuds with wrestlers such as the Wrestling Pro, Eddie Sullivan and perhaps his most heated rival, Don Fargo.

[6][3] Working alongside Lee Fields, the pair coordinated with Sam Muchnick and NWA to bring various stars from other territories into Mobile, Pensacola, Louisiana and Mississippi.

He was a member of the Cauliflower Alley Club Board of Directors and was President of the annual Gulf Coast Wrestlers Reunion in his later life.

Kelly had spent time with Moody on the Saturday before his passing at the annual Gulf Coast Wrestlers Reunion in Mobile.