Cloudy, 34° F
James R. (Jim) Kelly, 85, of Cody, Wyoming, passed away Jan. 25, 2025, at the Big Horn Rehabilitation and Care Center in Sheridan, Wyoming. He was born in 1939, the oldest of 12 children to Jim and Audrey Wheeler-Kelly in Macomb, Illinois. He married Norene Heaton on Dec. 24, 1958. She along with his parents and one son, Shawn, preceded him in death.
Jim is survived by two sons, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren: James M. Kelly of Helena, Montana, daughters Gwen Canton, Sacramento, California, and Jessica Schannzenbach, Salem, Oregon; great-grandchildren Aideen, Caleb and RIn; Stewart (Maureen) Kelly, Louisburg, Kansas; daughter JamiAnn, Lawrence, Kansas, daughter-in-law Julie Kelly; grandson Tyler of Louisburg, Kansas; four brothers, Roger (Nancy) Kelly, Don (Diane) Kelly of Steeleville, Illinois, Tom Kelly of De Quoin, Illinois and Jack (Jill) Kelly Cody, Wyoming; three sisters, Mary (Clyde) Jockisch Rushville, Illinois, Martha (Jeff) Fouts and Margaret Parry, Macomb, Illinois; many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Bob, Bill, Dan and Gayle, a sister in infancy, one nephew, Scott Kelly and one niece, Rosemary Jockisch.
He graduated Industry High School in 1957 and entered the U.S. Navy 1958-1963. He was stationed in Japan for most of his service. He ranked E4 3rd Class Petty Officer Naval Security and served five years.
Jim lived most of his life in Wyoming where he raised his three sons. He worked as a custodian at various schools. In his earlier years he loved to garden, hunt, fish and camp. When his family visited, he would take them on a tour in Yellowstone Park. He was a very good guide and explained several interesting things about the mountains, animals and Yellowstone in general. But most of all Jim loved our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was interested in history, especially family history. He has done some genealogy on his grandfather and grandmother Kelly families, and some on the Duggar family.
He along with three other brothers were presented with a Quilt of Valor in 2020 given to him from his sister who pieced and quilted it.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 31, 2025, at the Ballard Funeral Home in Cody, Wyoming. The burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery, Cody, Wyoming.
Memories and condolences can be shared on Jim’s memorial page at BallardFH.com.
