James D. KELLY

James D. Kelly Nov 21, 1936-May 16, 2015 Jim Kelly passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in the loving presence of his family and with his favorite music in the background. Jim grew up in Ferguson, MO. He attended Chaminade High School where he met Mary Hayden Hutton at the Snowball Dance in his Junior year. They shared a passion for dancing that lasted through their 62 year romance. Jim graduated from St. Louis University, joined the Army and married his sweetheart Mary in 1959 at Our Lady of the Pillar in Ladue. An amazing salesman, Jim founded Kelly Realtors in 1963, which became the 3rd largest real estate company in St. Louis. He had a very successful career selling residential and commercial real estate until he sold his company in the early 1980’s. He worked at Balcor and then Colonial Investments before returning to commercial real estate in the 90’s. Jim maintained a lifelong affiliation with “Bond, James Bond”, and continued to enjoy that reference throughout his illness. He loved Burt Bacharach’s music, enjoyed celebrating his Irish heritage and appropriately loved the color Kelly Green. He preferred green Cadillacs, enjoyed his boat the Proud Mary and rode his horse Valiant. Jim had an amazing sense of family loyalty. He loved having his family gather at Breezy Hill, the farm he and Mary purchased in 1970. Thanksgiving at “the farm” is a 44 year Kelly family tradition we continue. He and Mary moved there in 2000 to better enjoy their time together. Throughout his life, Jim maintained a passion for his bride and loved nothing better than to shower her with gifts. Together they had 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Diagnosed with dementia and later Alzheimer’s, Jim maintained his sense of humor and continued to come up with appropriate “one liners” well into his illness. He loved to laugh. Jim is survived by his loving wife Mary Kelly, his children Anne Kelly Fischer, James Stephen Kelly, Mary Alice Kelly Scherrer, John Patrick Kelly and Clare Kelly Zecher and their families. Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church on Friday, May 29, 2015 at 11:00. The family will be at the church at 10 for anyone wishing to share memories. Burial will be immediately following at St. Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul, MO. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association St. Louis Chapter.

James D. KELLY

November 21, 1936 - May 16, 2015