Jack Andrew Kelley |
| Posted 2024-03-25 by Pat R |
| Wickenburg Sun (Wickenburg, Arizona) Wednesday, December 13, 2023, p. A-6 Jack Andrew Kelley passed away on Nov. 26, 2023, at the age of 96. He was born in McAllister, Okla., to parents Jack and Pearl Ford on June 25, 1927. Jack grew up in McAllister, where he was primarily raised by his grandmother after his father and mother divorced. At the age of 10, Jack invited Jesus into his life and was baptized, In his early teens, he decided to change his last name to Kelley. He was very active in the Baptist Church until World War II began. When the war broke out, he tried to join the Navy several times, but did not meet the weight requirements. Jack then decided to join the Army and was accepted into the Armed Services. He served most of his time in Africa where he contracted malaria and was sent back to the United States, receiving an honorable discharge. Jack then took a job at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, and became a foreman at the Parts Distribution Facility. Jack met Nettie Emerson, and they were soon married. Jack went to night school and received his GED and then received his bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma by correspondence. At this time, Jack was called to preach and was ordained in Tucson. He preached at many rural churches in the Tucson area and pastored some of these smaller rural churches. Jack was licensed to preach and ordained at Palo Verde Baptist Church in Tucson in 1958. He pastored Government Heights Baptist Church for 18 years in Tucson. His wife Nettie passed away in 1974, and on Dec. 31, 1976, Jack got married to Leola Emerson in Tucson. Jack and Leola later moved to Morristown, where Jack pastored Morristown Baptist Church for nine years. He then began his next career as a substitute teacher for several years to Morristown and Wickenburg Elementary Schools and tutoring after school programs, teaching mathematics with games. Students looked forward to extended learning because Mr. Kelley made it fun. He loved preaching and teaching. Jack and Leola later joined Grand Community Baptist Church on March 14, 199[?], and became very active charter members, until he fell and broke his hip. Jack's health started failing, and he was not able to attend any of the activities of the church. Jack is survived by his wife, Leola; daughter, Martha Lewis; step-son, Daniel Emerson; granddaughter, Stephanie Noyes; great grandson, Leim Noyes, and great granddaughter, Emerson Noyes. He is preceded in death by his son, Sean Timothy Kelley, and step-daughters, Donna Brooks and Velha Emerson. Memorial Services will be held at Grand Community Baptist Church (18350 N. Goldwater Ridge Drive, Surprise) on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. |
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