Lowell Bernarr Kelly

1952 - 2012

Lowell was born in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., on Feb. 23, 1952. He died peacefully on Jan. 20, 2012, as a result of a devastating fall following a chili cook-off event at his business at Vortex Springs. Lowell has had family, close friends, old friends and new friends praying for him and supporting him and his family relentlessly.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Carol Earley Kelly (Polly); his grandmothers, Mattie May Kelly and Irma Earley; and his grandfathers, Coleman Kelly and Otis Monroe Earley.
He is survived by his father, Lila Bernarr Kelly; his brother, Brant E. Kelly; his sister, Elise Kelly McKenzie; his aunts, Carol Kelly and Imogene Kelly; and three loving, beautiful daughters, Amy Lauren Kelly, Ivey Monroe Kelly and Zoe Sky Kelly; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
Lowell graduated from Choctawhatchee High School in 1970 and then moved to Tallahassee, Fla., to attend Tallahassee Community College, where he earned an associate of arts degree.
He grew up in Destin, Fla., fishing and working at "Kelly Docks" as a deckhand when it truly was "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village."
He is well known for the best ever 70's party hosted on his family's party boat, "Early Bird," captained by his now deceased uncle, Capt. Carnera Lee Kelly. At sunset, 100-plus invited guests met at the Kelly Dock under the "Magnolia Tree" in full bloom and partied "into the light of the dark black night."
When Lowell was in his early '20s, and due to his great love of music, he tried his hand at the first concert hall in the area, "Boss Hardware." Dr. Hook (Cover of the Rolling Stones), Waylon Jennings and Louisiana Leroux (New Orleans Lady) all came to play. Unfortunately, due to poor timing of his dream, Lowell was forced to the Louisiana Oil Fields to earn money to repay his debt.
The next few years he worked in the oil fields out of Houma, Intercostal City, Morgan City and Venice, La. Living between Louisiana and Destin he obtained his Thousand Ton Ocean Operating License. His last voyage was aboard the ocean going vessel "Margret George" on Oct. 2, 1982, leaving from Sabine Pass Texas, destination Singapore! While Lowell was at sea he weathered what was said to be the worst storm in over 100 years off the coast of France and Spain, returning home almost a year to the day.
In the mid- to late '80s Lowell purchased property with Lloyd Bell and helped negotiate an important sale to Wal-Mart and what is now the Destin City Hall. They built "Two Trees Road" and Lowell developed "Indian Lake Apartments" in the '90s; Lowell started "Emerald Palm Trading Company," and provided the land where the "Palms of Destin" is now located. He was a visionary with a dream for the future for Vortex Springs.
Like his grandmother, Mattie, Lowell had a passion for writing beautiful poetry. He wrote about friends, family and experiences which had made an enormous impact throughout his years. These writings are the most treasured gifts that he has left behind.
Lowell was complicated, fun, imaginative, creative, loving and one-of-a- kind! He never backed down from a challenge. He thrived on the exchange of creative ideas and interesting stories. We miss him already!
The legacy of Lowell's spirit will continue to live on through his children.
Visitation will be held on Monday at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at St. Simon's-on-the-Sound Episcopal Church, 28 Miracle Strip Pkwy. S.W., Fort Walton Beach, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Mark Fitzhugh officiating. Pallbearers will be Brant Kelly, Edward Davis, George Hartman, Rocky Hard, Freddie Sanders and Michael LaBlanc. Burial will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery, with flowers and greenery selected from his two grandmother's gardens for his casket.
Friends desiring to do so may make memorial contributions to Covenant Hospice, 5041 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32504
The family guest register may be signed on line at www.Emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com