Harold Richard Kelley

Harold is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Helen Kelley and his wife of 51 years Charlotte Kelley (Douglas) (2011) and his sister Barbara Massa. He is survived by his four sons: Todd (Suzi) of Forest Grove, OR, Chris of San Leandro, CA, Brad of Irving Las Colinas, TX, Greg (Kerri) of Prosper, TX and his seven grandchildren Teal, Jordan, Hudson, Preston, Treven, Quinn and Kennedy.

Harold was born and raised in Lincoln, NE and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1958. He was an active and accomplished athlete in his time at Lincoln High School. Harold was a pitcher and key utility player on the 1956 Class A State baseball championship team. He was also an all-city defensive end on the football team. Harold was inducted to the Lincoln High School Hall of Fame for his athleticism. The highlight of his high school years was meeting his future wife Charlotte. He often spoke of his high school friends and continued to spend time with them throughout his life.

Harold married his high school sweetheart Charlotte in 1960. Together they lived in Lincoln where they raised their four boys. Harold worked as a painter with his father as a young man before becoming a hospital administrator at Bryan Memorial Hospital where he was employed for over 40 years. He retired from Bryan Hospital in 2006. Harold was an active member of St. Marks Methodist Church.

Upon retirement, Harold and wife Charlotte, moved to the farm they had purchased many years earlier in Bennet. NE. Harold built this house from the ground up, took great pride in their home, and enjoyed living the country life. Harold was very good with his hands, fixing things for himself and others and always customizing anything to it work properly. It was often said “If Harold can’t fix it nobody can”.

Throughout Harold’s life he was very involved in the lives of his sons and grandchildren. He was an incredible coach, mentor and supporter for his sons’ football and baseball teams. Harold made every player on the team feel important no matter what his athletic abilities were and no doubt touched the lives of many children in his years of coaching and support to all that played. The support continued to his grandchildren in all the many interests in which they were involved.

Harold stayed active throughout his life. He continued playing baseball after high school and then found his true sporting passion in fast pitch softball where he played for multiple traveling teams for more than 30 years. He participated in 50 state and regional tournaments and 6 national tournaments. In the AAA League he was known as a consistent “clutch” hitter and fielded his position as well as anyone. In 2000, he was in inducted into the Nebraska Softball Hall of Fame.

Harold will be missed greatly by all who knew him. We know he is reunited with his wife Charlotte and they are no doubt celebrating once again.

Memorial Services will be held at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th St., Lincoln, Nebraska, December 28, 2023 at 10 am. The service will be livestreamed , please go to the link provided https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/5728111080 In lieu of flowers please donate to the Charlotte Kelley Memorial Scholarship through Bryan School of Nursing, Bryan Memorial Hospital.