Dr. Stephen Kelly was honored Tuesday night at the Brownwood Event Center, where the Boy Scouts of America Texas Trails Council presented him with its Distinguished Citizen Award before about 200 guests.
Kelly, a former Eagle Scout, Army veteran and longtime Brownwood ophthalmologist, accepted the award after a dinner catered by Sodexo. His wife, Sandi, sat beside him during the event, which recognized his work as a leader, patriot, humanitarian and friend of the community.
A celebration of service
Emcee Draco Miller offered a tribute that mixed humor with a detailed account of Kelly’s life of service. Miller referred to Kelly as “Superman” and described the range of roles he had held, from military officer to physician and Scout.
“We are here to honor a very special man who has been called to service his entire life,” Miller said.
Miller also highlighted Kelly’s service as an officer in the United States Army Reserve, his career as a board-certified ophthalmologist and his background as a Scout. He joked that Kelly appeared to move from military uniform to doctor’s clothing like a superhero changing identities.
After Miller called Kelly to the stage, Texas Trails Council President Mark Colman, Scout Executive Gwangi Shipp and event chairman Dennis Graham presented the award.
Kelly points to family, leadership and Eagle Scouts
In his remarks, Kelly said he was grateful for the people who had supported him rather than focusing on his own accomplishments.
“I am deeply honored and humbled for this evening,” Kelly said. “I’m very thankful for a great family, great friends, great staff.”
Kelly then turned his attention to Eagle Scouts and the qualities associated with leadership. He said Eagle Scouts show a strong connection with leadership roles in organizations including Boys State, military service academies, ROTC, the military, business and politics.
“Eagle Scouts have a very high correlation with leadership,” Kelly said.
He discussed character, intelligence, leadership and physical fitness as requirements for military service academies, adding that leadership is the most difficult of those qualities to quantify.
Kelly concluded his remarks with a direct message to Scouts and young people:
“leadership is not simple and is not easy. So become an Eagle Scout.”
A long connection to Brownwood
Following the presentation, well-wishers surrounded Kelly to offer congratulations. He smiled and spoke with each person who approached him for several minutes.
Kelly later told Brownwood News that the evening was especially meaningful and that the people who spoke about his 79 years were exceptional. Asked about the secret of his success, he offered a brief answer: “wake up in the morning and start working.”
Born in Devils Lake, North Dakota, in 1947, Kelly moved with his family to Brownwood in 1980. He practiced ophthalmology in Brownwood for 34 years. His professional career, military service and connection to Scouting were central to the tribute presented at the Brownwood Event Center.