James Ardinal Kelley Sr., age 94, of Columbia and formerly of New Franklin, Missouri, Jerseyville, Illinois and Independence, Missouri, passed away July 1, 2022 at the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics.
Mr. Kelley was born in Boonville, Missouri on July 24, 1927 a son of David Kelley, Sr. and Nellie Katherine Stillwell Kelley. He married Carolyn Cunningham in 1969 in Alton, Illinois and she preceded him in death. James served in the U.S. armed forces and was a veteran of World War II.
He was raised in Independence and his sister, Irene Watts played an important part in his upbringing. James was employed with Sun Transportation as a first mate and deck hand on riverboats on the Missouri River. He was also employed as a custodian at New Franklin Schools and worked with his wife, Carolyn at the Jerseyville Nursing Center. James’ family remembers him as being a perfectionist with his work.
James enjoyed going on vacations with his family, spending time with his grandchildren, fishing, doing yard work, old time country music dances with Carolyn and caring for his pet dogs.
Survivors include a daughter, Lorraine Rhorer; four sons, Joe Kelley, James Kelley, Jr., Robert Kelley and Troy Kelley and his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren which include Christopher Kelley, Timothy Boyer, Jr., Erin Casarez, Joshua Kelley, Zachary Kelley, Jeremy Kelley, William Kelley, Aaron Kelley, Cody Kelley, Tristen Hessing, Dominick Kelley, Justice Singleton, David Singleton, Trinity Kelley, Haven Singleton, Adrien Tatum, Hayden Tatum, Anna Kelley, Mileena Hessing, Omorosa Manor and Lucy Kelley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Nellie; his wife, Carolyn; eleven siblings, Charles Kelley, Alvin Kelley, David Kelley, Jr., Harold Kelley, Annabelle Kelley, Irene Watts, Dorothy Loewen, Lois Bender, Virginia Burnett, Mary Milton and Frances Kelley and by three grandchildren, Christina, Margaret and David Kelley.
Services honoring Mr. Kelley will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 9, at Markland-Yager Funeral Home in New Franklin. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Bunceton Masonic Cemetery in Bunceton, Missouri.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Fayette PAWS Program in care of the funeral home.
Condolences may be shared at www.marklandyager.com.