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Jeffrey Kelly Obituary
June 11, 1945 - September 22, 2024
We thank God for the gift of you, Jeffrey Kelly, and are grateful for the sanctuary of joy and peace we shared, guided by God's grace.
Jeffrey Ward Kelly was born June 11, 1945, in Springfield, Missouri, to loving parents Howard Vincent Kelly and Florence Isabel Fulton. His parents preceded him in death, as well as his first wife, Nancy Stevens Kelly.
Jeff grew up in Grand Island, Nebraska, where his father and grandfather had started Kelly Supply Company. Nobody had more fun than Jeff, growing up in an idyllic small town with wonderful friends and family. His siblings describe him as always having been an entrepreneur, whether it was managing the largest newspaper route in Grand Island or making hundreds of hula hoops to sell for a dollar each. Jeff was extremely hardworking and a visionary. He never met a stranger and brought so much joy and laughter to everyone. While in high school he was a great baseball catcher helping his team, the Islander Midgets, win the 1961 Legion Midget State Championship, with a record of 24 wins and only one loss. Jeff continued for two more years to play in the Senior Legion State championships. After graduating from Grand Island Senior High School in 1963, Jeff attended Baker University where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity.
Jeff and Nancy married on April 25, 1968, and later had two sons. Jeff graduated from Baker University in 1968 with a degree in Business Journalism. He began his professional career first at the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Planning Commission. He completed six years in the Army National Reserves. Jeff also worked for Dictaphone before eventually returning to Grand Island in the early 1970s to begin his career at Kelly Supply Company, helping manage the family wholesale industrial distribution business with locations in Nebraska, Iowa, and Colorado. Jeff was instrumental in establishing the first internet company in Nebraska called KDSI, which continues today as an arm of the Kelly Supply Company, giving it an inroad to distribution throughout the United States and foreign countries.
Jeff served on boards of directors on local, state and national levels to include Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo), Wells Fargo, Saint Francis Hospital in Grand Island, The Sisters of Charity in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Advisory Board of Gates Rubber Company, Gates Industrial Corporation, and The Foundation of Grand Island, Neb. He retired from Kelly Supply in 2008 and moved to Texas in 2009. Jeff moved to San Antonio, Texas, in 2016, and married Priscilla "Cissi" Berger Glendening on July 31, 2016. Jeff and Cissi had attended Baker University and later reconnected after both lost their spouses. Cissi and Jeff enjoyed wonderful travel opportunities throughout the world but treasured most their time with family. Jeff, also known as "GPa", was loved by Cissi's children and nine grandchildren.
He is survived by his sisters, Patricia Kelly Albrecht of Fredericksburg, Texas; Sheila Kelly Kepler and husband, Steve, of Lincoln, Nebraska; and brother, KC Kelly and wife, Kim, of La Vista, Nebraska; along with many nieces and nephews.
Additionally, Jeff is survived by son, Luke and wife, Amy; grandsons, Sam and Ryan of Omaha, Nebraska; and son, John and wife, Audra; granddaughters, McKynna, Kwynn, Corynn, and Evelynn of Colorado and Nebraska.
We give thanks upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2024, 10:30 a.m., ST. NICHOLAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 2265 BULVERDE ROAD, BULVERDE, TEXAS 78163. The Reverend Beth Wyndham will officiate.
Honorary Pall Bearers include KC Kelly, Steve Kepler, Craig Wanamaker, Michael Kelly, James Kahrhoff, James Daubert, Robert Sutter, James Sartin, John Greenberger, and Jeff's seven step-grandsons.
Memorial donations in Jeff's name can be made to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation at T2T.org or mailed to 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, N.Y. 10306 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org or mailed to 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jeffrey Kelly
Tom and Karen jurgensmeier
November 25, 2024
We are so very sorry for your loss
Thoughts and prayers
Tom and Karen Jurgensmeier
Jeannie Shell Harms
October 22, 2024
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jeff Kelly. I first met Jeff in the 7th grade as a newcomer to Barr Jr High. It is deeply gratifying to read the incredible list of accomplishments that Jeff achieved and offered during his lifetime. His pallbearers were/are also among the best men I´ve ever known. A true band of brothers. Thankful that Jeff will be carried "home" by these men.
Leslie (Birth) Hausmann
October 22, 2024
Hope all goes well!
Wish the family well!
Jeff was a special person!
God bless!
Charlie Bramble
October 22, 2024
So sorry to hear about Jeff's passing. We were good friends, and in fact his dad, Short, was our Little League coach. Jeff was really a good guy. We were both on that '61 State Championship Midget team and played ball all the way from Little League through Legion ball. I have thought of him often.
Chrissy H
October 21, 2024
Jeff was such a kind man. I was working at a restaurant and was his and Nancy's waitress. He liked my customer service and hustle and offered me a job by the time I brought him his check. I remember how much he talked about his grandchildren and the importance of the family business. Our condolences to his sons and their families. He was a great guy.
Mike Blackburn
October 21, 2024
I was greatly saddened to learn of Jeff's passing. Jeff was my best friend growing up. We spent many hours doing things (some of which we probably shouldn't have been doing) together and I have great memories of our times together. He was best man when Mary and I took our vows.
I probably shouldn't share this but while Jeff and I were living together in Lincoln in the spring of 1965 Jeff became friends with the man who had the Yamaha motorcycle dealership and before long, we were both riding small Yamaha motorcycles (our only form of transportation). Jeff discovered that we could get a little more power from those small engines if we removed the baffles from the tailpipe. It helped the power and also increased in the noise level to about 3 or 4 times normal. We lived in the basement apartment of a nice family on Cotner Boulevard and kept the motorcycles in the garage when we were there. One night the two of us went to the Yamaha dealership for an evening of poker and when we returned to the garage on Cotner we decided to remove the baffles and go for a ride around the neighborhood and into a field out past the hospital a few blocks away. This was around 1:00 AM. The next day I stopped at the Yamaha shop to see Jeff and he told me I might not want to hurry back to the apartment. It seems that 16 neighbors had called our landlord to complain about our little adventure the previous night and the landlord was not too happy. We ate dinner every night with the landlord and his family and sat across the table from each other and were both dreading what we expected to hear from the landlord. After they said prayers, we looked at each other and could not keep from laughing. That may have saved us from whatever punishment was being considered and earned us a "DON'T DO IT AGAIN" admonishment along with a laugh from the landlord and his wife. Needless to say, the baffles stayed in from then on.
Mershon Niesner
October 21, 2024
I grew up with Jeff where we both attend GIHS. Jeff was one of my all-time favorite people. What a great guy! Condolences to all of his family.
Monica Ayoub McClure
October 21, 2024
Sheila and Kelly family I was saddened to learn of Jeff´s passing. He surely had an incredible life and touched so many lives in such a positive way. As you share, talk, and remember Jeff may you truly find that this man you loved so much is forever living in your heart. You all have my sympathy and condolences.
Bruce McKeag
October 20, 2024
Sheila, Steve, and Jeff's family---I knew Jeff casually in high school, and please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May the memories that you shared help sustain you during this difficult time.
Brandi (Falkena) Cornwell
October 18, 2024
I only knew Jeff when I was young (my dad worked for him at Kelly's), but from what I remember, he was an incredible human being. When I was in preschool, my grandparents couldn't come to town for our Grandparent's Day program. Jeff didn't hesitate to show up and be my honorary Grandfather. He did the chicken dance with me-- I will never forget that. I loved Nancy as well. We would go to their house on Halloween or if we just went for a walk in the evenings and they were always so welcoming and kind. Jeff and Nancy will always hold a special place in my heart.
Corynn Kelly
October 18, 2024
Jeff was my grandfather. He taught me to respect everyone regardless of their beliefs, to never lose my sense of wonder, to support your family wholeheartedly- and most importantly, to always have fun and enjoy what I do in life. I was robbed of my time with him these last few years but those lessons have never left me.
He was put on this Earth to be a grandfather. He loved more than anything spending time with his grandkids, asking about school and showing us magic tricks like picking us up by our ears. He would play kitchen with us for hours on end without ever getting bored. He would read to us until we fell asleep (or he did). He took us to Husker football games and taught us how to chant "Go Big Red!". He taught me how to fish on his old rod and taught me how to golf so I could go with him and his buddies.
My favorite thing we did together was when we would sit outside at our cabin eating peanuts on the deck. He would point out constellations and teach me about them. When I got tired, he would carry me inside while singing a song he learned in his fraternity called "Mister Moon". That song has stayed with me ever since.
I love you, grandpa. I´ll say hi to the moon for you
Audra Kelly
October 18, 2024
Jeff was loved and adored by his sons and six grandchildren. Teaching them the song Mr. Moon while looking at the stars, playing rock, long walks, fishing and trips to the driving range. He was the foundation of our family. Jeff and Nancy helped shape our families and traditions. He was the best father in law a girl could ask for. We laughed and joked and he was a father figure when I needed one. I will cherish every memory. The grandchildren miss you. We miss you. But we feel peace knowing you are with Nancy again. Love you forever
Edits to the obituary- Jeff and Nancy's anniversary was 4-5-68. Kelly Supply was started in 1903 by William Kelly not his father and/or grandfather and Evie's name is spelled Evlynn.
Scott & Mary Bosselman Sahling
October 18, 2024
To All Of Jeff´s Family, You are In Our Thoughts & Prayers at this Sad & Difficult Time. Jeff Was A Great Friend and Nancy Also. Wonderful, And Caring. He was a coach for our son Troy Schultz when the boys were younger . A Great Man ,
Our Deepest Sympathy,
Sincerely,
Scott & Mary Sahling From Grand Island, NE.
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