Jerry Dean Kelly

Jerrold "Jerry" Dean Kelly, a respected attorney and member of the State Bar of Texas for 60 years known for his formidable legal strategies and knowledge of the law, passed away on May 4, 2018 of heart failure. He was 83. Mr. Kelly, a third generation Dallasite, was born on November 12, 1934 and grew up in Lakewood. As a blue-eyed child, he was nicknamed "Cotton" for his full head of blonde hair. Attending Woodrow Wilson High School, where he was Captain and Commander of ROTC and a star on the debate team, he graduated at the age of sixteen. Jerry then went to the University of Texas, Austin participating in the scholarly Plan II program. He returned to Dallas and graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Heremained at Southern Methodist University for his law degree, graduating with honors in 1959 before serving three years in the United States Marine Corps. In 1966, Mr. Kelly "was charmed by" and married Miliana Drachman of Tucson, Arizona. The couple settled in Highland Park, Texas where they raised their two children.

Jerry, as Mr. Kelly preferred to be called, enjoyed many enthusiasms including extensive world travel, all things SMU, watching football, jitterbugging, waltzing, his dogs, ice cream, the movies, the opera, the symphony and teaching law. He loved sharing stories such as those of Dallas history and adventures rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. His quest for learning and life long work ethic set an example for his family and friends. Perhaps his most important contribution to the community was 39 years of dedicated service to Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. He was inducted to present cases to The United States

Supreme Court. Jerry believed in invoking a sense of humor which he noted is "simply interjecting an element of surprise." Jerry showed up for life and thoughtfully made occasions special for his loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his parents George Birdwell Kelly and Margaret Hammer Kelly and brother Donald George Kelly of Dallas, Texas. Mr. Kelly is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years Miliana Drachman Kelly, brother Roger Eugene Kelly MD and children: son Marc Roy Kelly of Lakewood Ranch, Florida and daughter Shannon Kelly Gilmour of Winchester, Massachusetts. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Jennifer Frances Gilmour of Charleston, Massachusetts, Grace Isobel Gilmour of Burlington, Vermont, Clayton Scott Gilmour of Winchester, Massachusetts, Jonathan Houston Kelly of Atlanta, Georgia, and Katherine Grace Kelly of Lakewood Ranch, Florida. A celebration of Jerry's life will be held on Friday, May 11 at 11:00 a.m. in Dallas, Texas at Arlington Hall, 3333 Turtle Creek Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, kindly donate to the Dedman School of Law, Underwood Law Library, Southern Methodist University PO Box 750116 Dallas, Texas 75275. https://giving.smu.edu/

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