James Duane Kelley

James Duane Kelley, the youngest of three children of Ruth Lucille (Carlson) and Ray Franklin Kelley, was born on April 20, 1930 at the Red Oak, Iowa hospital. Jim was only 10 months old when his family moved to their homestead northwest of Hastings, Iowa; the farm that Jim still owned and cherished until his dying day. He attended Golden Hill country school west of the farm as a young child with his older siblings, Dwight and Deloris. In 1948, Jim graduated from the Hastings High School where he had enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. He was also an active member of the Hastings Junior Feeders 4-H club for ten years during that time. Jim's love of the farm began at an early age, and upon graduation he continued to work the family farm with his father.

Jim and Joyce Carol Shapcott were married on February 1, 1953 at the Wesley Chapel Church north of Hastings and made their home on the family farm. To this loving union they welcomed three daughters, Joni Kay, Judy Lynn, and Jann Marie.

Jim loved farming, especially raising cattle, and worked hard to maintain acres of pristine corn and soybean fields. He was active in the community, serving on both the Mills County Fair Board and Mills County 4-H Youth Extension Council. In 1966 he was named as an honorary 4-H member for his years of service to that organization. Jim was proud to be a charter member of the Mills/Montgomery Cattle Feeders Association, serving as treasurer. He also served a term on the FSA County Committee, and was a member of the Masonic Temple in Emerson, Iowa.

In 1981, a severe heart attack forced him into an early semi-retirement. Over the next decade, he still drove a tractor and worked the farm at every chance, as much as his health would allow. He enjoyed traveling, especially in the RV, and loved to play any type of card games; be it pitch, cribbage, or even bridge. Jim was an avid fan of college sports, especially when Iowa State University was playing. He was a great admirer of old cars, and new ones too! His favorite color was John Deere green. Jim took great pleasure in time spent with his morning coffee buddies. Lastly, when he could, and as long as he was able....he loved to dance. Jim was hardworking, strong, generous, a devoted friend and family man. He touched the lives of many and maintained his "never give up" attitude all the way to the end.

Jim was 82 years old when he passed away at his home in Kansas City, Missouri on May 16, 2012. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Ruth Kelley; youngest daughter Jann May; brother Dwight Kelley and wife Ruth; and many of his dearly missed friends.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Joyce Kelley of Kansas City; daughters, Joni Sell and husband Jeff of Hastings, and Judy McClintock and husband Mike of Lake Havasu City, AZ; sister Deloris Adams of Tacoma, WA; grandchildren, Scott Sell and wife Katy, Jared Sell and wife Katie, Brooke Sell, Jess, Katelyn, and Emily McClintock, Shane May and wife Beth, Molly Pankoke and husband Brent, Heidi, and Grant May. Jim was also blessed with great grandchildren, Ashlyn and Ayla Sell, Addison Sell, Colin May, with great grandbabies, Pankoke and May, due to arrive this summer; other relatives and many, many friends.

Celebration of Life was held on Friday, May 25, 2012 at the Malvern United Methodist Church. Memorials suggested to the Malvern United Methodist Church. Loess Hills Funeral Home (formerly Mansfield-Hertz) of Malvern assisted the family with local arrangements.