Kelly Peter Fero

Kelly Peter Fero Feb. 17, 1952 - Jan. 4, 2010 Kelly Fero was a unique combination of renaissance man and revolutionary who never gave up his fight for a more just world. He was a writer and a lover of words, books and music. Born in Wyandotte, Michigan, on February 17, 1952, Kelly was the fourth son of Barnard Strong Fero and Evelyn Harriet Newman Fero. He died at his home in Austin on January 4, 2010. Kelly attended elementary school in Tecumseh, Michigan, from 1957-1963. Growing up in the metro area sparked his enduring enthusiasm for Detroit sports teams. He joked that he had been born with a first baseman's mitt on his hand. At age 11, he moved with his family to Cordoba, Argentina, where his father headed the forge operations for the Kaiser automotive plant, where the Willys jeep was manufactured. His family quickly became part of the close-knit circle of Americans living abroad along with the many Argentines who worked together and whose children attended Academia Arguello. It was in this bilingual setting that Kelly developed his proficiency and love for the Spanish language. He made many friends at the Academia, some of whom joined in forming his first band, Schibbinz. The young teens appeared on national television and recorded an album, "Livin' Free." Collectors of 1960s South American rock urged Kelly to cooperate with a re-issue of the album in vinyl and on CD. A release party was held in December 2009 in Cordoba. As the Civil Rights movement was gaining ground in the United States, Kelly was living through the turbulent days of dictators and disappearances during the early years of Argentina's Dirty War. His family lived on the same street as Che Guevara's mother, and Che became a life-long hero. Books about Che and Argentina were among the many that populated his extensive library. The dire political landscape, a devastated economy, and a phone call suggesting it might be a good idea for him to leave the country, spurred the family's move to Mexico. Kelly began his journalistic career working as a reporter in Mexico City. In 1968, he found himself in the midst of throngs of student protestors at what later became known as the Tlaltelolco massacre. His family settled in Queretaro, where Kelly graduated from the John F. Kennedy High School in 1970. He later attended the University of California Santa Barbara and received a B.A. Degree in Economics from UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico) in 1974. Kelly met and married his first wife, Marcia Newlands, after he moved to San Miguel de Allende. Their daughter, Caitlin, was born in Austin in 1977. The second phase of his musical career blossomed in Mexico through his collaboration with Eric Schooler and their bands. In Mexico, Pequeño Imo opened for a Ray Charles road tour. Returning to Los Angeles, they collaborated with many well-known musicians of the day; and in Austin Little Imo won the Austin Sun's band of the year award. Returning to journalism, Kelly worked with the small cadre of writers who began the fledging Third Coast Magazine; he also wrote for Texas Monthly. He authored "The Zani Murders," which portrayed the work of Austin Hispanic crimes unit detectives Robert Martinez and Paul Ruiz in solving a decades-old crime. Kelly jumped into the political world when he was hired in 1987 to be the chief speechwriter for Texas Attorney General Jim Mattox. The two developed a strong bond forged in their mutual commitment to better the lives of Texans through the work of "The People's Lawyer." Shortly after he was hired, he met his future wife, Mary, who, after knowing him for a week, professed she had met the man who she wanted to marry. They waited a year and were married at their home by Supreme Court Justice Oscar Mauzy on June 11, 1988. Kelly also served as Communications Director in Mattox's gubernatorial campaign. In these roles, he developed lasting friendships and an extensive network of contacts that reached through the ranks of labor, teacher, consumer and environmental organizations. During John Sharp's tenure as Comptroller, Kelly penned major policy speeches and transformed the agency's Texas Performance Review research and statistical compilations into engaging summaries of the critical issues facing Texas. He was particularly proud of the work he prodded which resulted in "Bordering the Future," a look at the confluence of issues affecting the Texas-Mexico border. Kelly worked in Sharp's political campaigns, and he continued to offer support in John's current bid for United States Senator. Kelly worked for several years for Public Strategies and relished his role in Latin American political consulting, notably for Mexican gubernatorial and presidential candidates. He worked for many Democrats in Texas and across the country and offered advice and counsel to friends in the many calls and emails he received daily. He quietly wrote speeches and press releases for others, and once laughingly recalled writing the introduction and two key speeches for a single event. He routinely took time to share his experiences and advice with young, aspiring political strategists. In recent years, he was proud to have helped elect Hubert Vo of Houston, as the first Vietnamese American to the Texas House of Representatives, and to help Donna Howard of Austin in her efforts to win and retain her House seat. Kelly is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Duhé Fero; daughters, Caitlin Newlands and Kate Smith Riggleman; father, Barnard Fero; brothers, Patrick Dennis Fero, (and wife, Mary Jo Fero), Michael Barnard Fero, and Timothy David Fero. Most dearly loved were his four grandchildren, Isaiah Christopher Carroll (11), Maya Blue Anthony (5) and Kira Rain Anthony (11 months) of Seattle, and Skyla Delilah Riggleman (7) of Austin. Kelly will be deeply missed by his family and many friends. He was a brilliant man with a warm sense of humor and a keen sense of justice. He knew that being in the fight meant taking the arrows, and he took the slings without complaint. The family hopes that friends and foe alike will take a moment to ponder life's truly important battles and, then, to pursue them with vigor. We also recommend that you treat yourself to a song, perhaps a recording of Joan Manuel Serrat, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Thelonius Monk, Atahualpa Yupanqui, Astor Piazolla, Arvo Part, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills and Nash, or any music that touches your heart. In lieu of flowers, we hope you will consider a donation to a local charity of your choice. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, 4700 Grover Avenue, Austin, Texas 78756. Memorials and guestbook online at wcfish.com