James Richard Kelly, 83, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, May 12, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 21 years (Debbie), two sons, John (Teresa) and Jerry Kelly, two grandsons, Jacob (Ivy) and Jimmy Kelly and three great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Verlia Mae Kelly, two brothers, Jack and Jerry Kelly and his oldest son, James R Kelly,Jr. He was always proud to say he was a native Pensacolian.
Jim served 4 years in the US Army in Iran. After returning to Pensacola, he was employed at a small land survey company eventually being hired at International Paper Company (formerly St Regis and Champion) as a land surveyor and property records manager. He was licensed in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. He retired in 1999 after 34 years of service.
One of his favorite pastimes was dancing. As a teenager, he was an avid square dancer, later joining clog dance groups as well as country line dancing groups. He spent several years teaching clogging and country line dancing in the Pensacola area.
Jim loved to travel, making several trips to Europe and later traveling the states with a camper in tow. He was happiest when on the road, seeing different parts of the country and the many the major sites.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation in his name to Vitas Hospice. Payments can be made to Pensacola Vitas Hospice Office at 1230 Creighton Road, Pensacola, FL 32504.
He will be missed by many.
A visitation for James will be held Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 9:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 10:00 AM at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel. Serving as pallbearers for his service are John Kelly, Larry Pursell, Mark Pursell, Butch Antone, TC Brown and Frankie Pesce.
