Lee Roy Kellis

LEE ROY KELLIS passed away on August 20, 2012, after nearly a century of good humor, leadership, hard work, travel, and devotion to family. He was born Nov. 12, 1914 in Wickenburg, AZ, to William S. Kellis and Annabell Roberts. Mr. Kellls is preceded in death by his parents, brothers: William James (Jack), Raymond and Robert Kellis, and his second wife, Barbara. Lee Roy was a graduate of Mesa Union High School (1932) and attended Arizona State College. He also performed with the Mesa Little Theater troupe in the early 1940's. In 1942, Lee Roy married Virginia Kersey and went to work for the Valley National Bank until he joined the US Navy in 1943. There he assisted in the financial rebuilding of the Bank of Guam after the Japanese occupation. When he returned from military service in February 1946, he returned to the Valley National Bank as Assistant Manager of the Mesa branch. His twins, Kathleen and Philip were born later that year. Mr. Kellis' contributions to Mesa are innumerable. In 1947 he became partner in the Blewett-Kellis Insurance Co. Mr. Kellis was the last surviving founding member of the Ho Ho Kams, who brought the Chicago Cubs to Spring Training in Mesa, and had served as its president, Big Ho. During this time in his life, he married Barbara Stimming Petzold (1962). He served on the Mesa City Council from 1954-1962 and 1964-1968. Mr. Kellis served as vice-mayor in 1966. He was a member of the Lions Club, the Elks Lodge, and the Rotary Club (serving as the first President of the Mesa-Baseline Chapter). He was a partner for twenty years in Cummins and Kellis Insurance and Real Estate and an investor in the development of the Mezona Motor Hotel Best Western. He devoted many years to developing and operating the Dobson Ranch Inn. In 1990, he spearheaded the Little Colorado Sewer District in Greer, AZ where he enjoyed The Greer House with his family. His grandchildren have fond memories of mountain climbing with Papa to the beloved Fort, sledding in the winter as well as fishing in the backyard pond. In 1997, Lee Roy married Reta Reed Otis who brought him back into the LDS Church, was his traveling companion to four continents and his loving partner for fifteen years. They relocated to the beautiful forests of Pine, AZ in 2008. He is survived by his wife Reta, his daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Roger Aston, his son and daughter-in-law, Philip and Kayleen Kellis. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Matt Massarand, Danielle (Kevin) Fox, Tennille (Justin) Hardy, Shalise Kellis, Kellisa Aston, and Lachelle (Colin) Merrill, and eight great-grandchildren. He was loved and admired so much by his family...he will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 24, 2012 at Meldrum Mortuary, 52 North Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201.