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JACK KELLY
June 11, 1925 - Nov. 30, 2012
Longtime Holtville resident Jack Kelly passed away peacefully with family members by his side on Friday, November 30th at the age of 87.
Born in Spokane, Wash. on June 11, 1925, Jack was the third of seven children born to Albert and Emalita Kelly. He attended St. Anne's grade school and Gonzaga High School. Jack had his first business at age 15, having his own push cart selling ice cream in the Industrial section of Spokane. He joined the Marine Corps on August 21, 1943. After boot camp he spent several months at the base in Seeley, then served in World War II in the South Pacific on the Island of Peleleu. He was honorably discharged on March 2, 1946.
Jack and his wife, Dorothy were married May 1, 1946, in the original St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Holtville. Shortly after that they boarded a bus for Spokane. While there Jack worked for a dry cleaning establishment. Six months later they moved to Holtville, where Jack drove a truck for an oil company, delivering stove oil. A few years later he attended school in Maryland to become a full-fledged dry cleaner. On April 1, 1948, Jack opened his dry cleaning business located at 5th and Orange in Holtville. After 2 years he moved his business to Holt Avenue opposite the park.
Several years later Jack decided to return to college, and graduated from IVC and San Diego State. He graduated in 1962 and began teaching fourth grade at Finley School in 1963. Two years later he got his dream job teaching music at Holtville Junior High School. He sold Kelly's Cleaners in 1965.
Jack had a reputation for demanding excellence, and he got it. His bands participated in many parades and won numerous awards; and he coached many operettas where students learned music and stage presence. Jack spent countless hours before and after school working with band members to improve their skills. The musicals and plays and the many excellent and superior ratings the bands earned at festivals throughout Southern California are standouts for many in the community. For scores of his former students music is still a major part of their lives. He retired in 1988, but continued substitute teaching.
As a member of the community, Jack was involved in the Rotary Club, directed the choir at St. Joseph's Church, played at weddings and entertained residents at the Valley Retirement Inn. Jack's participation was not limited to schools. He performed with the Music Mixers, the Swiss Club Band and the Imperial Valley College Community Band. He was a marching band judge for the Holtville Carrot Parade. Jack's devotion to the community of Holtville is appreciated by all whose lives he touched. He was a former Holtville Citizen of the Year and was inducted into the Holtville High School Hall of Fame. He also received the "24 Carat" award from the Holtville Chamber of Commerce for service to the community.
Jack will be greatly missed by many. We will always have our memories of him and he will forever be in our lives and hearts. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Al and Richard Kelly, and sister Patricia Eggers. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; children, Kieran Kelly (Denise) of Brawley, Kathleen Wellcome (John) of Brawley, Mary Lynn Massoud (Robert) of Salinas, CA, and Patrick Kelly (Eva) of Modesto, CA; also included are 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Rosary service will be held Thursday, December 13 at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Holtville.
A memorial mass will be held Friday, December 14 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Holtville.
The family gives their heartfelt thanks to the caregivers who loved and cared for Jack.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charitable organization of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
To Mrs. Kelly and to the entire family of Mr. Kelly, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I was in chorus in the 7th grade when I first sang a solo for Mr. Kelly. I was trying out for a part in the operetta that year. He gave me so much encouragement about my talent for singing that I went on to sing at many events in my high school and adult life. He said when I first sang for him that "the three little hairs on top of his head stood straight up!" He never knew that I had such a talent. Mr. Kelly, I will never forget your hard work and neverending direction to all of us during those operetta years...such fun for all! You will be missed. There will never be anyone like you again. Rest in peace Mr. Kelly.
Connie Campbell
December 18, 2012
Dorothy, Kieran, Kathleen & Mary Lynn, So happy that Jack & all of you were part of our lives. Thanks for the great years we spent working together and growing up together with you. Jack was one of the greatest musicians ever! Mary Helen "Velasco" and Edward Dollente
Mary Helen Dollente
December 14, 2012
May he rest in peace. He gave so much of himself,now its his turn to recieve. god bless your family.
Donna Garewal
December 11, 2012
DOROTHY AND FAMILY,
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. I HAVE SUCH WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF YOU AND JACK AND YOUR CHILDREN, HAVING LIVED NEXT DOOR & ACROSS STREET FROM YOU, AND NOW DOWN THE STREET ON THE CORNER. SOME OF OUR CHILDREN LITERALLY GREW UP TOGETHER. MY GRANDMOTHER AND AUNT PAULINE ALSO SHARED IN THESE MEMORIES HAVING LIVED BY YOU FOR MANY YEARS. IN FACT MY WHOLE FAMIY WAS INVOLVED IN YOUR LIVES. WHAT GREAT YEARS THEY WERE. AN NOW IN OUR DECEMBER YEARS WE CAN CHERISH ALL WE HAD AND WHAT WE HAVE NOW ACCORDING TO GODS WILL.
MAYBE WE CAN SEE MORE OF EACH OTHER THIS YEAR.
I LOVE YOU,
ALICE CARLEY
ALICE CARLEY
December 11, 2012
mr kelly was a hero to so many. i never has him for a class but i heard he was a very good and hard teacher. I there was nothing like Mr Kelly. memories and stories are what i got left of Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly created a legacy for Holtville Middle School band Department. I hope Mr.Kelly they name the band Deparment at the Junior High after you. God has you in heaven and the music department in heaven is bigger know then ever. Mr. Kelly came from some Humble Starts to end as a band Teacher. I meet Mr. Kelly once when at the Carrot Festival Parade. He is the man the music man. I leave you Mr. Kelly with this :
Do not stand at my grave and weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
Thomas Rose
December 10, 2012
I was a band student (flute) of Mr. Kelly's in the early 1980s at Holtville Junior High. What a wonderful, patient teacher he was! I have fond memories of all the parades and events we participated in. My sympathy to his entire family. Rest in peace Mr. Kelly.
Julia Babcock (Castro)
December 9, 2012
Jack Kelly, a wonderful guy, full of love, full of joy. Ed and Paula Marquez
Paula Marquez
December 9, 2012
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