Jack Kelly

Jack Kelly obituary, Lexington, KY

Jack Kelly

Jack Kelly Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 25, 2013.
Jack Kelly, who served as the first CEO of the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, organized Olympic festivals and ran the Goodwill Games, an international sporting competition, died Wednesday after a two-year battle with bladder cancer. He was 68.

Mr. Kelly, who lived in Lexington, was originally from Boston.

He was the major events organizer at the 1986 U.S. Olympic Festival and ran the 1990 U.S. Olympic Festival in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Later, he joined Turner Broadcasting Co. in Atlanta as president and CEO of the Goodwill Games, a pet program of billionaire entrepreneur Ted Turner. He ran those for six years; his work involved 40 trips to Russia for the 1994 games in St. Petersburg, where he met Vladimir Putin.

Mr. Kelly convinced Terry Johnson, executive director of the Bluegrass Sports Commission, to join the staff of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Johnson described Mr. Kelly as "full of energy and a very, very, very smart man."

He said Mr. Kelly served as a mentor for those who worked for him. Johnson said they remained friends after Mr. Kelly, who became CEO of the Equestrian Games in 2006, resigned in 2008 for personal reasons. In 2010, Mr. Kelly came onto the board of the Bluegrass Sports Commission and was vice chairman in 2011. The commission promotes and stages sporting events in Central Kentucky, notably the Bluegrass State Games.

"He lived a life of a lot of different experiences," Johnson said. "So he had a story for everything — the kind of stories that you want to listen to."

Jim Host, the founding chairman of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games when Mr. Kelly served as CEO, described Mr. Kelly as very personable and knowledgeable about the Olympic movement.

"He's probably the only person in my life who's beat me at sports trivia," Host said.

John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park, also met Mr. Kelly through the World Equestrian Games. Nicholson said Mr. Mr. Kelly laid the groundwork for the Games, which became a successful and historic event in Lexington. Nicholson said the event exposed Lexington and the Horse Park to 500 million people who watched it on television, in addition to those who attended.

"It was without doubt a game-changer," Nicholson said.

While he didn't know much about horses before the Equestrian Games, Mr. Kelly fell in love with them, Nicholson said.

Johnson said Mr. Kelly's favorite sport was baseball. Mr. Kelly was an avid Red Sox fan. Johnson said Mr. Kelly's collection of sports memorabilia was amazing.

Mr. Kelly is survived by his wife, Kathy; and children, Michael Kelly and Kerry Lynn Schatz.

Funeral services for Mr. Kelly will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Clark Legacy Center at Brannon Crossing in Nicholasville, with a reception afterward.

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16 Entries

August 1, 2013

Kathy and Family,

I am so sorry for your loss. Jack was my friend and mentor and I'll miss him. I'm glad we all had a chance to see each other in Louisville last April. I owe Jack much that could never have been repaid. Peace and Strength to you all.

Avery Jenkins

August 1, 2013

Jack was very a very knowledgeable individual in so many facets of life and sports. He provided incredible guidance and he was an inspiration us all. He will be greatly missed by all of those that came in contact with him during his very fulfilling life. RIP

Howard Spiegel

July 30, 2013

Hi Kathy

As one of Jack's old Tenneco friends I find the news of his passing very painful.

Jack was a great guy and I learned a lot from him.

My sympathies to you and your family.

Robert and Charline Lee

July 26, 2013

Kathy, we have very fond memories of our times with you and Jack. Among them are Astros games, tennis doubles, and working with Jack at The Woodlands during the 1986 Olympics Festival. Such fun times and good memories. I'm sure that all of your happy personal memories of Jack will comfort you and your family during this very trying time in your lives.

Chico Hatke

July 26, 2013

Kathy and Family. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. I will keep you in our prayers. I always liked Jack.

Chris Stevenson

July 25, 2013

Jack was very supportive and influential to the Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League. His leadership was extremely valued on our Board of Directors. I valued his sincerity more than anything. He was always ready with an idea to help make things better.

July 25, 2013

Kathy and family, our hearts and prayers are with you. God bless . Bernie, June & family

Robert Decker

July 25, 2013

In the little time that I knew Jack, I came to respect him greatly and counted him as a friend. He will be missed.

Karolyn O'Cull

July 25, 2013

Although our paths only crossed briefly with his work for the Professional Disc Golf Association, I was honored to have met Jack. He was a true inspiration. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Josh Davis

July 25, 2013

I had the absolute privilege of working with Jack for a few years, through his time with "The Huddle." I always loved his stories. And the amount of information, not all about sports, I have learned from him is priceless. He was loved by all who knew him. While it is a sad time, his life will be celebrated.

Brian Graham

July 25, 2013

In addition to consulting and acting as an adviser to the Professional Disc Golf Association, Jack was a true friend and mentor to me personally. He was much appreciated and will be sorely missed. Our most sincere condolences go out to Kathy, his kids and grandchildren, who he often spoke about so fondly.

Darlene Ricker

July 25, 2013

Jack, my compadre from Boston, you will be missed. Enjoyed working with you on 2010 WEG. I learned so much from you and enjoyed every moment of it.

Jay Weiner

July 25, 2013

Thinking of Jack today, his humor, his political kibitzing, his Olympic sports insights, his marketing savvy, his energy, and his kindnesses to me. He will be missed.

Amy Walker Doane

July 25, 2013

Jack gave me an amazing opportunity at a young age to work at the World Equestrian Games. What a wonderful adventure he allowed me to have! He was a brilliant man who knew something about everything, and had a funny story to go along with it. Deepest sympathies to his family and to our WEG family who worked with him.

Charlie Cox

July 25, 2013

I always loved listening to Jack on the "Sports Huddle" each week on 1300. His sports knowledge was amazing. Prayers for his family. Jack you will be missed.

Tom Martin

July 25, 2013

I always enjoyed Jack's company and interesting conversation. He offered experience with a positive, can-do attitude and, in the end, was just a nice guy. Jack will be missed.

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Sign Jack Kelly's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

August 1, 2013

Someone posted to the memorial.

August 1, 2013

Avery Jenkins posted to the memorial.

July 30, 2013

Howard Spiegel posted to the memorial.