James Arthur "Jim" Kelly


James Arthur Kelly, 82, passed from this life to the next on May 18, 2014.

He was born on March 13, 1932, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Arthur Vincent and Joyce Heinz Kelly.

Jim grew up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1950.

He then enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1951 and rose to the ranks of sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge in 1954.

Jim then attended college at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting in 1959.

He began his career in public accounting joining Arthur Young and Company in Kansas City, Missouri before moving to the private sector with Spencer Chemical Company in 1963 as an internal auditor.

Jim married Ann Patricia (Nancy) Dougherty in 1965 and started a family. He then moved to Bird and Fletcher Company in 1967 as Controller. Jim moved his family to Houston, Texas where he joined Gulf Oil Company in 1969.

He obtained his CPA license from the state of Texas in 1972 and later that same year accepted a transfer to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Gulf.

In 1978, he was named Manager of Investor Relations with Texas and Oil Gas Corporation in Dallas, Texas.

In 1979, Jim joined Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Oklahoma where he eventually was named Corporate Comptroller before retiring in 1992.

In retirement Jim was active in Holy Family Cathedral, volunteered time at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa and was an active member of Financial Executives International.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Joyce.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the Holy Family Cathedral, Tulsa, Oklahoma or the Salvation Army, Bartlesville.

Jim is survived by his fiancé, Arthel (Artie) Neff, daughter, Mary Beth Rowley and husband John of Bartlesville, OK, sons, Chris Kelly and wife Lisa of Katy, TX, Kevin Kelly and wife Angie of Highlands Ranch, CO, his sister Jorraine Sullivan of California and six grandchildren, Annabelle, Ava, and Sophia of Katy, TX, Connor, Daniel and Emma of Highlands Ranch, CO.

A Rosary will be held on Tuesday, May 20, at 7:00 PM, in the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home chapel, 710 S. Dewey Ave.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Wednesday, May 21 at 10:00 AM at St. John Catholic Church, Bartlesville, OK, under the direction of Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home.

Interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.