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Obituary for James "Jim" Kelly

James Kelso Kelly, 91

EAST LIVERPOOL – James Kelso Kelly, of East Liverpool, passed away Friday, March 16, 2018 at the East Liverpool City Hospital. He was 91.

Born in East Liverpool, he was a son of the late Robert J. and Edith Kelly. A resident of this area all his life, he was a member of the Oakland Free Methodist Church. A graduate of East Liverpool High School, he continued his education at Ohio University where he earned a degree in accounting. A veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, he returned to the area and worked at the former Crucible Steel Company. He then began working at the former TS&T Pottery where he became the plant manager. In 1967, he and his brothers started the Wellsville Foundry and operated the business together for many years.

Always an active person, Jim enjoyed life to the fullest and was a longtime member of the East Liverpool Area YMCA. In 1945, he participated in the first basketball game to be played in the Memorial Auditorium and continued to play basketball late into life. He also loved to play golf and ping pong and especially enjoyed the time spent with his life-long friends. Jim was known for his green thumb and loved to garden.

He is survived by his son, Nelson E. Kelly and his wife, Deborah, of East Liverpool, as well as three grandchildren: Kathleen Barnes, and her husband Gregory, of St. Joseph, Michigan; James Kelly, and his wife Amiko, of Montgomery, Ohio; and Meghan Kelly, and her husband Dr. Zareh Khachikian, of Tyler, Texas. Jim was further blessed with six great-grandchildren, Christopher Barnes, Sarah Smith and her husband, Ryan, Kelsey Blematl, and her husband Erik, Jonathan Barnes, Kyuzo Kelly, Takezo Kelly, and three great-great-granddaughters, Grace Hutchens, Sophia Blematl and Isla Smith.

In addition, he leaves behind two sisters-in-law, Alma Kelly and Lois Kelly; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathleen R. “Kay” Shannon Kelly, whom he married January 30, 1953. He was also preceded in death by three brothers: Harold Kelly, Gerald Kelly and Bruce Kelly, as well as a sister, Geraldine Thomas, along with granddaughter, Elizabeth Kelly.

Pastor Carol Forsythe will conduct a funeral service Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Dawson Funeral Home. Friends may visit from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery.

Following the service, friends and family will gather at the Oakland Free Methodist Church for fellowship.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James "Jim" Kelly, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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