James (Jim) Dean Kelley born May 6th, 1939, passed away at home on November 2nd, 2026, at the age of 87.

Jim was born to Ernest Carter Kelley and Juanita Marie McLauhlin in Chautauqua, Kansas. During his childhood years he lived in Chautauqua & Coffeyville Kansas area attending school in the Coffeyville Area.

In 1956 he enlisted in the army and did his basic training in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri and then stationed in Chicago, Illinois.

On May 28th, 1960, he married the love of his life Martha Rae McKee at Lavern’s Marriage Chapel in Miami, Okla. They were married for 65 years and made their home in Coffeyville Ks for a couple of years before buying their forever home in rural So Coffeyville, Ok, where they operated a small cattle operation.

They had two sons, Ronald and Rodney. These boys were his pride and joy, and you could always find the 3 of them doing something together. Most every weekend was spent coon hunting with his boys and his brother Danny or one of many friends he had.

Jim was also active with the boys and Martha in the Edna saddle club. He enjoyed riding horses and just working on his farm.

Jim worked at Acme Foundry until he began working at Sherwin Williams until they closed and then the Bartlett Milling Company until he retired. After he retired from the milling company, he operated his cattle operation for many years before retiring completely.

Jim continued to be active with his grandchild and great grandchildren, he enjoyed attending their football and basketball games. He was always up for going out to eat, attending birthday parties and even an occasional trip to Branson. One of the things he enjoyed most was sitting around the table drinking coffee and visiting with the kids.

Jim is survived by a brother Lewis (Alice) Kelley, his sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald and Lora Kelley of Welch, Ok and Rodney and Kelly Kelley of So Coffeyville, Ok.

Grandchildren Roxie (Sam) Vail of Edna Ks, Dustin (Catrina) Kelley of Welch, Jason Kelley of So Coffeyville, Ok, Christina Kelley of Coffeyville, Ks, Justin Kelley of So Coffeyville, Ok and Erin Warren of MO.

Great-grandchildren, Shane, Holden, and Layton Vail of Edna, KS, James, Myla, and Cole Kelley of Welch, OK, and Alex, Eli, Isaac, and Sylvia Kelley of South Coffeyville, Kloe and Cooper Warren of MO.

He is proceeded in death by his parents Ernest & Juanita Kelley, his wife Martha, two sisters Ruby Vance and Virginia Hugo, and brothers, Walter, Homer, Danny, Charles and Johnny Kelley.

Visitation and Graveside Services are pending but will be announced as soon as possible.