James (Jim) Radford Kelley, 92, of New Bloomfield MO, passed peacefully with his girls by his side to meet both his Heavenly and Earthly Fathers on Friday, October 30, 2020 at Westphalia Hills in Westphalia, MO.
Jim was born on August 25, 1928 in Wappapello, MO the son of Harrison and Bessie Trula (Graham) (Kelley) McCasland who preceded him in death. He was married on November 28, 1951 in Piggott, AR to Beverly Jean (Fortner) Kelley who preceded him in death on July 19, 2019. He attended Wappapello Elementary School and Rombaur High School. Jim was a veteran of the US Army serving from 1951-1953. He was a member of Kime Baptist Church and was baptized in Wappapello Lake. He attended Hopewell Baptist Church in New Bloomfield, MO.
Survivors include: four daughters, Judy Harris of New Bloomfield, MO, Debbie (Ron) Murphy of Holts Summit, MO, Diane (Scott) Young of Holts Summit, MO and Sherri (Rick) Knoll of Holts Summit, MO; one sister, Margie Martin of Troy, MO; seven grandchildren, Craig (Kim) Abbott, Kristi Heritage, Kelley Klein (Dustin Rackers), Angela “Angie” (Lee) Rummerfield, Karly Lawson, Elizabeth “Beth” (Art) McGeorge and Aaron Murphy and 17 great-grandchildren, Ashton Rydman (Grant Jamison), Asasiah “Asiah” Rydman, Delaney Brunk, Chandler Rydman, Braeden (Kylie) Klein, Sarah Abbott, Phoenix Lawson, Macie Abbott, Jerzie Lawson, Samuel McGeorge, Carl “Jack” McGeorge, Bentley Lawson, Lucas “Luke” McGeorge, Evan Rummerfield, Memphis Lawson, Madison “Maddie” Rummerfield and Charlotte McGeorge. He was also preceded in death by one grandson, Richard (Rick) James Hunger; two brothers, Sylvester “Elvin” Kelley and Amiel Kelley and his beloved pets, Charlie Brown and Buddy.
Born and raised in Southeast Missouri, Jim first learned to work with his hands from an early age by hunting and fishing near the St Francis and Mingo Rivers and Battle Shell Lake. He also farmed at an early age and proudly raised and provided for his family through farming, raising livestock, concrete construction and he worked at the Ford Manufacturing plant. He retired from the State of Missouri in 1987.
Jim’s family heritage is rich in history. Several publications highlighted Jim and his family ancestry and their extensive interests in land and farming that were instrumental in the business community of Old Wappapello in Wayne County, Missouri. These interests included the establishment of the railroad, construction of the St Francis River “Old Iron Bridge”, the Sears & Roebuck Kelley Home and The Kelley Cemetery that Jim purchased and preserved.
Jim inherited his love of the land and green thumb and grew bountiful harvests of vegetables that he would share with family, neighbors and even the occasional stranger. In addition to gardening, his favorite pastime was spent behind the wheel of his GMC truck with his beloved Buddy in the passenger seat.
Jim’s spirit and spunk will be remembered and continue to live through the work ethic and generosity of his daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 from 10:00 – 11:00 am at Debo Funeral Home in Holts Summit, MO. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am with Rev. Don Kelley officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Hopewell Baptist Cemetery in New Bloomfield, MO. The family requests social distancing and masks for attendees. Funeral services will also be available on Facebook Live for those not able to attend on Debo Funeral Home & Summit Memorial Park Facebook, Holts Summit, MO page.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jim’s name are suggested to the Callaway County Humane Society, c/o Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court St, Fulton, MO 65251.
