James Kelly's Obituary
James Allen Kelly, 74, of Fayette, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Missouri. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, James lived a life worth celebrating.
Born on July 2, 1951, in Fayette, Missouri, to Marie Shipley Kelly and Clay Cooper, James was the youngest of his mother’s four children.
James graduated from Fayette High School in 1969, where he was an all-around athlete excelling in both football and basketball. A standout on the football field, he went on to play one year at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri, before leaving to embrace a new and more important role: becoming a first-time father.
For 56 years, James devoted his heart to the love of his life, Nerlene. The two married on July 2, 1976, which was special because it doubled as his birthday. In classic James Kelly fashion, he never missed a chance to tease her, make her laugh, or shake her head.
Together, James and Nerlene built a beautiful life and raised three children: Myra, Greg, and James (Lonzo). James was an outstanding, present father who lifted his children through the good and the bad. He showed up before you asked and stayed until the job was done. Whether it was a game, a school event, a tough moment, or a celebration, he was always there: steady, dependable, full of pride, and always on time because he hated being late! As proud as he was to be a husband and father, “grandpa/papa” was the title he cherished most. He adored his seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Aside from football, James loved the game of basketball. He appreciated everything about it, from the smallest fundamentals to the biggest plays. He played pick-up ball well into his 30s, proving he still had it. He loved watching his daughter and grandkids play over the years, sitting in the bleachers no matter the score. When it came to fandom, James was a hard-core, ride-or-die San Antonio Spurs fan.
If you needed something fixed, he was your guy. He spent countless days with his longtime friend, the late Bobbie Johnson, working on projects, and many more at Jackman’s Auto Shop, where he was loved, respected, and welcomed like family.
He was a natural comedian, always ready with a joke, a one-liner, or a story that made everyone laugh. He had an answer for everything, even when he wasn’t right, and he was confident enough to deliver it like the law. His sense of humor was timeless, comforting, and unmatched. To know him was truly to love him.
James also found joy in the outdoors. He loved working in his shed, fishing, or mowing the grass exactly the way he liked it. He was musically talented as well; he played the clarinet, piano, bass guitar, and harmonica.
At home, James had his favorite chair in the living room where he watched Gunsmoke, old Westerns, or anything sports-related. He was the keeper of the remote, and everyone knew it. But he also knew when to give it up when it was time for Nerlene to watch the news or her judge shows.
His best moments were spent with his children and grandchildren. He always had a magic trick ready, card games, made shadow animals on the wall with a flashlight, even when the “animal” didn’t quite look right, and shared stories that made everyone laugh. Those were the moments that made him shine.
Above all, James loved God. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, where he spent many Sundays in church, sang in the choir, and was known for making the best pancakes in the state of Missouri for men’s breakfast. He often broke into hymns around the house. Today, his family finds peace knowing he has fully arrived in his heavenly home.
James was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Melba Kelly-Gordon, Sharon Kay Crump and his brother, Warren Kelly.
His memory lives on through his legacy: his devoted wife, Nerlene Kelly; his children, Myra (Dylan Lee) Kelly, Greg (Jenny Nelson) Kelly, and Alonzo (Allison Brown) Kelly; his brother, Steve (Hellen) Kelly; his sister, Carla Jones; brothers-in-law, Donald Hill, Alen (Brenda Smith) Petty, and Everett (Junior) Hill; his sisters-in-law, Earlene Jones, Virginia Mulwee-Kelly, Virginia (Leonard) Williams-Bragg, Joyce Starr; his grandchildren, Kyreon (D’Angelo) Walker, Darius Lee, Haden Kelly, Maya Kelly, Anquan Kelly, Gregory Bush and Jeremy Bush; and his great-grandchildren, Mahlani Walker, Harmoni Walker, Elijah Bush, and Iris Bush. He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends who love him deeply.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
– Matthew 25:23
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?
