Jack D Kelley

Funeral services for Jack D. Kelley, age 85 of Clinton, OK will be held on Monday, May 5th, 2025, at 10:00 AM, at the First Baptist Church, 900 Frisco Ave, Clinton, OK 73601, with Dr. Cameron Williams and Reverend Kent Jaggers officiating. Burial will be in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton, OK. Jack passed away peacefully in his home on April 29th, 2025, surrounded by his wife and children.

Visitation will be held at Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home, 2500 W. Modelle Ave., Clinton, OK, beginning Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; Friday, May 2, 2025, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with the family greeting friends from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, on Sunday.

Jack was born on March 13th, 1940, in Clinton, the son of Odus and Etta (Boyer) Kelley. He was raised on a farm west of Clinton in the Stafford, OK community, and moved to Clinton in 1949. At age nine, he started his working career. He had a paper route starting at 5:00 am folding, throwing, and collecting payment. He also sacked groceries part time. It was here that Jack first listened to OU football on the radio. He worked as a carpenter’s assistant for his Uncle Hubert on projects such as Clinton’s First Baptist Church, Custer Avenue Baptist Church, and many homes as well.

He graduated from Clinton High School in 1958 having played basketball, running track and high hurdles, and singing in the choir. He had many friends he stayed close with throughout his life, including Max Hire, Charles Downing, David Stratton, and Van Henson.

Jack married the love of his life Patricia Maureen Davis from Butler, Oklahoma on December 9th, 1960. They spent 64 wonderful years together navigating the highs and lows of life. They made their first home in Clinton, while Patricia finished nursing school. Their first daughter, Kathy Lynne, was born in Clinton on November 27, 1961. After Pat’s graduation in 1962, they moved to the Norman, Oklahoma area where Jack worked for the Bureau of Reclamation surveying Lake Thunderbird. Patricia found employment as a Registered Nurse at Central State Hospital. Their second daughter, Lori Lee, was born in Norman on September 18th, 1964. They later returned to Clinton where Jack worked in the family business, Clinton Landscaping, with his father Odus and brother J.M.

In 1966, Jack enrolled at The University of Oklahoma and graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. While enrolled, he also earned his private pilot’s license. To earn money, Jack worked on the I-35 project operating heavy equipment. He joked that I-35 has been under construction ever since.

In 1970, Jack moved the family to Ft. Smith, AR where he worked for the Whirlpool Corporation manufacturing plant in what would today be known as Supply Chain. In 1975, the family returned to Clinton where Jack worked as an owner-operator truck driver and built the house they live in to this day. Their son, Brian David, was born in Clinton on August 2, 1976, just two weeks after they moved into their newly completed home.

In 1980, Jack was offered and accepted a position at Oklahoma Bank and Trust Company, by lifelong friend, Dub Lowry. While at OB&T, he held numerous roles, including Cashier, Vice President, Senior Vice President, and member of the Board of Directors, until he retired in 2006. He continued serving on the Board of Directors until 2023. He also continued trucking by hauling cotton until selling his equipment in 2002.

Jack was a wonderful, dedicated husband and father. Throughout his life, he created many activities and adventures for his family. Boating, water and snow skiing, vacations (road trips) to places such as California, New York, and endless Oklahoma football games including the National Championship in Miami, FL offered many hours of fun and created wonderful life-long memories.

Jack was always involved in and very supportive of his children’s activities. He was excited when Kathy decided to take flying lessons. One of the highlights of her training was piloting a Citation Jet for 10 minutes. He attended many pageants and performances of Lori, including the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, NJ when she was competing as Miss Oklahoma. When Brian auditioned for and made the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band, Jack was excited to be able to purchase OU football season tickets. As a student at the university, he was unable to afford tickets to attend any OU games. In retirement, Jack and Patricia enjoyed traveling. Their trips included several cruises, and they also traveled to destinations such as Hawaii and Las Vegas.

Jack accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 13. He eventually became a charter member of Custer Avenue Baptist Church and would serve as the church’s treasurer for 31 years, as well as teaching Sunday School and singing in a quartet.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Odus and Etta Kelley, brother J.M. Kelley and his wife Martha, sister-in-law Kathy Kelley, brother Gerald’s wife, niece Londi Coble all of Clinton, sister Wanda Murchison and husband Shannon of Norman, OK, in-laws Waverly and Verna Davis of Clinton, brother-in-law L.E. Davis and wife Mary of Oklahoma City, brother-in-law Dale Davis and wife Joan of Nacogdoches, TX, brother-in-law Ronald Davis and wife Mona of Austin, TX. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Patricia Kelley of Clinton, daughter Kathy Kelley of Branson, MO, daughter Lori Kelley Cathcart and husband Chris of Branson, MO, son Brian Kelley of Sugar Land, TX, and grandson Jack Cathcart of Simi Valley, CA. Additional survivors include, brother Gerald Kelley of Clinton, and sister-in-law Sylvia and husband Michael Conant of Berkely, CA, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Jack leaves a strong legacy of faith, honesty, encouragement, work ethic, and love and support to his family and friends.