Aaron Kell Clopton

It is with great sorrow that the family of Aaron “Kell” Clopton announce his passing on December 17, 2023, following a lengthy and hard-fought battle with cancer. In his final days, Kell was blessed to be surrounded by those he loved the most.

Kell was born on July 26, 1976 to James “Bob” and Pansy Clopton in Tyler, Texas. He graduated from Rains High School in Emory, Texas in 1995. He received a scholarship to attend and play football as an offensive lineman for Southern Arkansas University (SAU) from 1995-1998. On May 24, 2008, Kell married the love of his life, Faith Harry. Their marriage was blessed with 3 incredible children, Addison (14), Averie (12) and Andi (7). The family resides in Kaufman, Texas where they are faithful members of Community Life Church. Kell was a man of great faith and a devoted husband and father. He loved the Lord, his family, his church, and his community with open arms. He served others with a gentle spirit and big smile. He was generous, loyal and had a passion for education – an impact that will live on in others for years to come. In his spare time, Kell enjoyed the simplicities that life had to offer – coaching his girls in youth sports and being out on the family farm. He lived out his days clinging to Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Throughout his years, Kell had many notable achievements. He was named an NCAA Division II All American on two occasions while at SAU. Kell later signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 1999. He went on to play with the Arena Football League and eventually returned to SAU to serve as a graduate assistant. Kell graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree from SAU in 2000 and with his Master of Education in 2002. In 2010, Kell was one of the 100 principals in Texas chosen to attend the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Boston, Massachusetts to participate in a program entitled “Redesigning High Schools for Improved Instruction”. He completed his superintendent certification in December 2011 through the Lt. Governor Bill Ratliff Northeast Texas School Executive Academy. Kell served as the Assistant Superintendent and ultimately the Deputy Superintendent of Kaufman Independent School District. In 2017, Kell was inducted into the SAU Hall of Fame for his contributions to the football program. While Kell was honored by his football and professional accomplishments, he was most proud of the family that he and Faith created and watching his 3 daughters grow into godly young women.

Kell is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ricky and Julia Clopton and his maternal grandparents, Aaron “Booster” and Lillie “Maxine” Gilbreath. He is survived by his loving wife, Faith Clopton and his 3 beautiful daughters, Addison, Averie and Andi Clopton along with his parents, Bob and Pansy Clopton of Yantis, Texas, his brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Leigh Clopton of Gunter, Texas, nephews, Bryce Clopton (wife Abby and daughter Presley) of Pilot Point, Texas and Braiden Clopton of Sherman, Texas, father and mother-in-law, Bill and Beth Harry, sister and brother-in-law, Lacy and Russ Coker and nieces Caroline and Camille and sister and brother-in-law, Crysta and Evan Hooker and nephew Ethan and niece Josie, all of Sulphur Springs, Texas. Additionally, Kell was loved and will be dearly missed by a multitude of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends that he considered family.

Services to honor Kell will be held on December 21, 2023 at 11am at Clife Church in Forney. A private family graveside service will be held at Rock Hill Cemetery in Yantis, Texas on December 21, 2023, at 2pm.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Texas Oncology Rockwall for their care and compassion over the years.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Benefit Kell Clopton account at American National Bank of Kaufman for his daughters' college tuition.