James “Kelly” Lyles, 86, of Tampa, Florida passed away peacefully on January 27, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was born in 1936 in Soperton, Georgia to William and Pearl Lyles. His Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 12 at 2 p.m. at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Temple Terrace, Florida, Pastor Eric Friedrichs presiding. Interment to follow in the church’s memorial garden.
Kelly is survived by his wife of 66 years, Diana; son, Brad Lyles (Cheryl) of Green Bay, Wisconsin; daughter, Denise Cook (Dave) of Temple Terrace, Florida; five grandchildren, Philip Cook (Hannah) of Wichita, Kansas; Matthew Cook (Emily) of Clarion, Iowa; Maggie Breen-Lyles of Green Bay, Wisconsin; Mollie Breen-Lyles of Durham, North Carolina; Matt Breen-Lyles of Green Bay, Wisconsin; and five great grandchildren, James Cook, William Cook, Noah Cook, Emmalyn Cook and Estelle Cook.
He was preceded in death by his parents and half-brother, Delmas.
Kelly was a 1954 graduate of Douglas High School in Douglas, Georgia. He enlisted in the United States Air Force when he was 17-years-old, and proudly served his country for four years, which included the Korean War. After the Air Force, Kelly worked for Reynolds Aluminum as Branch manager and Regional Product Manager. Kelly’s passion was always education, so in 1967, he went back to college to become a teacher. He taught at Marshall Junior High in Plant City and Jefferson Senior High in Tampa. While teaching, he went back to school to earn two masters degrees from the University of South Florida and a Doctorate in Educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
During his 27 years at Hillsborough County Schools, Kelly stepped out the classroom and began the Homework Hotline and Executive Intern Programs. But his greatest achievement was developing and implementing the Alternative Education Program and drop-out prevention programs to help struggling students in high school. During this time, he served as a consultant to various northern school districts to help facilitate the desegregation of their schools. He also was a consultant for Florida State University School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, advising on a juvenile delinquency prevention program.
Kelly was recognized with numerous awards during his tenure at Hillsborough County Schools including the 1993 EDDY Award for Visionary Leadership, the Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 1978 and Outstanding Contributor for Literacy in Hillsborough County in 1990.
When he retired from the Hillsborough County School system, he became principal of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran School, where he served for five-years. During that tenure, he established the premiere K-8 private school in Temple Terrace. Kelly also taught Sunday school and Confirmation classes at Christ Our Redeemer.
After leaving Christ Our Redeemer in 2001, Kelly was an adjunct professor for Florida Metropolitan University and NOVA Southeastern University.
Kelly was a devoted man of GOD who loved Jesus.
Memorial contributions can be made to Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Temple Terrace, Florida.
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