James Kelly

James Edward Kelly, Sr., age 93, passed away peacefully at his home in Vestavia Hills, Alabama on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Jim was born on December 19,1931, to Ernest and Ovie Pearson Kelly in Kilgore, Texas. While attending 13 different schools throughout Texas and Louisiana due to his father’s occupation with Mobil Oil, Jim graduated from Morgan City High School in 1950. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1951 and proudly served our country in combat in the Korean War. After returning from Korea, Jim studied at Southwestern Louisiana Institute of Liberal and Technical Learning (University of Louisiana at Lafayette) graduating with a Bachelor of Industrial Arts degree and a Master of Education degree, all within four years. He taught Industrial Arts at Donaldsonville High School in Louisiana, before moving to Birmingham, Alabama to marry the love of his life, Judith Holt Heath.

Jim and Judy were united in marriage on June 6,1960, at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church and made their home in Homewood, Alabama, while Jim began his career in electric utilities with Alabama Power Company. In 1965, their young family moved to Tampa, Florida, where Jim began a career with Tampa Electric Company as their manager of Safety and Training. As director of Management Training and Development, Jim was instrumental in creating innovative training and safety programs for TECO that were also used across multiple industries and universities. Jim and Judy returned to Alabama in 1982, where he continued his career in management and development with Blount Industries in Montgomery. In 1985, they moved to Beaumont, Texas, where Jim was director of Management and Development for Gulf States Utilities/Entergy. Shortly after retirement, Jim and Judy returned to Alabama, making their home in Vestavia Hills, where they attended Shades Valley Presbyterian Church. Jim was a gifted woodworker, historian and storyteller. He loved Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, he treasured his beautiful family, and was proud of his humble upbringing and service to our country. He was most proud to be a Marine.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Charles Ray Kelly, beloved daughter-in-law, Jamie Twiner Kelly, and sisters-in-law, Jane Heath Childers and Margaret Heath Strickland. He is survived by his bride of 64 years, Judith Heath Kelly; sons, James Edward Kelly, Jr. and his wife Stephanie of Oklahoma City, OK, Brian Heath Kelly and his wife Jennifer of Vestavia Hills, AL, and daughter, Colleen Kelly Maxwell and her husband Gary Don of St. Petersburg, FL; grandchildren Garrett Mitchell Maxwell of Monroe, LA, Pearson Holt Kelly of Columbus, GA, Heath Phillips Kelly and Holt Anderson Kelly and their mother, Beth Phillips Kelly, of Oklahoma City, OK; William Morgan Plaisance and Lauren Leigh Plaisance of Vestavia Hills, AL; and great-granddaughter, Camilla Rose Maxwell of Monroe, LA. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Mary Turner Kelly of Pensacola, FL, and his brother-in-law, John B. Childers of Vestavia Hills, AL. He is loved by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Jim greatly appreciated his loving caregivers, Patsy Banks and Laura Bond, and the staff of Helping Hands, ProHealth Home and Hospice and Dr. Jeremy Smith.

James Edward Kelly, Sr., will be buried at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 11:00 am. After his burial, a memorial service will be held at Southminster Presbyterian Church, at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to American Village Citizenship Trust, PO Box 6, Montevallo, Alabama, 35115 www.americanvillage.org/donate/ or Southminster Presbyterian Church, 1124 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, Alabama, 35216.