Gary M. Kelley, 82, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2020, after a long illness.
Born in Horton, Kansas, he was the third of four sons of Willie Lee Kelley and Myrtle Keyes.
A graduate of Leavenworth High School, he served in the US Navy Air Corps as an airplane technician. After his service he was project inspector at McDonnell Aircraft on the Mercury space project. He received degrees at Washburn University and KU Law School, working his way through school as an aide at the renowned Menninger’s Clinic in Topeka.
Using his law degree in site acquisitions at several companies throughout his career, his favorite was as Vice President for the Foreign Trade Zone located in the caves in North Kansas City. In that capacity he welcomed foreign dignitaries from Taiwan, France, and other countries who stored items such as wine in the caves.
His daughter, Shannon Wilkinson, and grandchildren, Madeline and Charles, were his pride and joy. The best times in his life were serving on an aircraft carrier, getting together with his brothers and their families at his brother’s farm, announcing his daughter’s horse shows, and sitting around the kitchen table making his grandchildren laugh at his stories. His gifts were his comforting announcer’s voice and his ability to make even a stranger feel like the most important person in the room by listening intently.

His first wife of 27 years, Mary, and his older brothers, Wayne and David, preceded him in death. He is survived by Shannon, Madeline, Charles; his younger brother, Dean; and his wife of 24 years, Brenda.

Graveside Services, originally scheduled for April 17th, 2020 at Leavenworth National Cemetery, have been rescheduled for Friday, August 28, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.

Memorials may be sent to Crossroads Hospice.

The Porter Funeral Home in Lenexa, Kansas is entrusted with arrangements.