Obituary for Jack Kelly

Jack Wayne Kelly

October 3, 1955 – September 15, 2019

Jack Wayne Kelly passed away at Willow Haven Nursing Home in Tonkawa on September 15th, 2019. He was born in Ponca City October 3, 1955, son of Merle James Kelly and Rachel Ann (Wood) Kelly. He attended Marland Public School in Marland, Oklahoma, and graduated in 1974. He played basketball and was a member of the Marland FFA Chapter and showed pigs.

Besides being a farmer, Jack worked in the oil field, drove cross country for National Carriers, and hauled cattle out of Florida. After Jack quit driving a truck he went to work for Dick Sullins farming and ranching and drove a school bus for Frontier Public Schools.

On August 12, 1983, Jack and Alice Ann Bayles married in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Jack took his bride to the Kelly Trail Ride with 150 of his closest friends and family for their honeymoon. The following year his bride felt like she was entitled to a different kind of honeymoon. She went to Spain and Morocco with her girlfriend, Beverley… against her mother’s advice. Jack was right on time to pick her up from her return flight, only to tell her he needed to show her something. Driving south, he told her he had bought a place east of Red Rock while she was gone. She didn’t even know they were looking for a place. In the end that place, BAR-K Farm was a good place to raise their three kids, Bobby, Annmarie and Rachel, and take in a few extra from time to time – Chad, Eric, Clayton, Jenna, and Paislee to name a few.

Jack lived for fair month, county, OKC, and Tulsa. He didn’t care for the carnival part too much. It was all about the livestock and the food. A Rib-eye sandwich at TSF was definitely his favorite. Jack was certainly a goin’ showin’ kind of daddy with his children showing sheep, pigs, and cattle year round. He also drove the bus to many livestock judging contests for Frontier 4-H and FFA. He drove the bus to FFA National Conventions in Louisville and Indianapolis where he watched all three of his children receive their American Farmer Degree. Jack was an honorary member of both the Marland and Frontier FFA Chapters and served as Frontier Ag Booster Club President. He strongly believed 4-H and FFA provided the skills and opportunities for young people to succeed and excel.

You would also find Jack in the stands at his daughter’s basketball games. One of his proudest memories was seeing the Frontier Girls and Boys bring home the gold balls from the Big House in 2005.

Jack fought a long battle with diabetes and heart disease. Staying true to his stubborn personality he did not go without a fight. At the end of the battle, he was surrounded by loved ones reminiscing about the man he was!

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merle James and Rachel Ann (Wood) Kelly; his brother, Jimmy Bert Kelly; a sister, Patricia Ann Gammon; a great niece, Shanley Danielle Kelly; and special canine companions, Booie and Tink.

He is survived by wife, Alice Kelly of Red Rock, Oklahoma; daughters, Rachel Kelly of Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Annmarie Stanford and husband Aaron of Tonkawa Oklahoma; a son, Bobby Kelly and wife Anna of Eaton, Colorado; and grandchildren, Kennedy Marie Stanford, Wesson Bayles Kelly, Huntlee Mischelle V Kelly (arrival any day), and “Baby 4” Stanford (due Feb 2020).

Jack is also survived by his sister, Lynda and husband E. J. Wilson of Ponca City, Oklahoma; a sister-in-law, Vicky Kelly of Ponca City, Oklahoma; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A traditional wake is scheduled on Sept 18th starting at 6 p.m. at 404 W Congress in Tonkawa. Please join us for food and drink to toast Jack one last time and share a story or two.

A memorial service will be held at Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell at 10:00 a.m., September 19th. Burial will be private.

Honorary pall bearers will be Chad Kelly, Steve Kelley, E. J. Wilson, Irvin Lee Wright, Steve Sullins, Clayton Weatherly and Tyler Jeffries.

Jack was a farmer. He was not a fan of grass, trees, or flowers. With that in mind, memorial donations can be made to Frontier Ag Booster Club or Hospice of North Central Oklahoma in c/o Roberts and son Funeral Home, 120 W Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.