James Kelly (Senior) passed away on May 30, 2024 at the age of 102. He was one of nine children born in Findlay Illinois on December 29, 1921. The family moved to Urbana, Illinois in 1925.

James was preceded in death by his is mother Ruth Blythe Frazier Kelly, Father Timothy Milton Kelly, Brothers: Elston Ward, Walter Kendall, Paul Tyrus, Robert Walker, Sisters: Ola Margorine, Ione Imogene, Eleanor Ruth, Marjoorie Geneese, a son in-law Ken Johnson, and Daughter in-law Anita Morris.  He has four surviving grandchildren: Kelly Johnson (Eric). Saint Joseph, Kevin Bowersox-Johnson (Brandon), Seattle, Jaime Hagg, Tuscola, Kathrine (Erik) Hagerman. Sidney and seven surviving Great grandchildren. Abigayl, Parker, Bryce, Samantha, Garrett, Aneela, Erik Jr.   

As a pre-teenager, James caddied at the Urbana Country club. He remembered caddying for Horton Smith in 1932, the first Masters champion. He graduated from Urbana High school in 1940. Right out of high school he went to work on the P&E Railroad. When World War II broke out in 1941, he registered for the draft but was denied because his job at the railroad was declared essential.  He continued to petition the Railroad to be released to go fight for his country. On January 1, 1944, they did just that. The United States Marines flew him to camp Pendleton and was assigned to the Fifth Service Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment of the 5th Marine Division.   The next stop was the Battle of Iwo Jima. He fought for our country for the entire 36-day battle.  He married Leila Mae Roughton his High School sweetheart on July 8, 1944, in Los Angeles California. She waited for him to return by working on the assembly line manufacturing airplanes to be used in the war. He would affectionately call her his Rosie the Riveter. She passed away on July 18, 2010, after 66 years of marriage. His favorite actor was John Wayne who bought him a beer in Laguna beach California. He returned from the war to Urbana, Illinois on May 10th, 1946, to begin a family with Leila. They have a surviving daughter Cheryl (“CJ”) Ann Johnson (Saint Joseph, IL) and a son James Milton Kelly II (Palmetto, FL). James was hired in 1958 by the Urbana Fire Department where he worked until semi-retirement in1976.  He was the treasurer for the Urbana Municipal Credit Union. When his wife, Leila, retired from Illinois Bell 1984, he and her became snowbirds: staying in Tropic Isles Mobile Home Park in Palmetto Florida from November to April. James Senior was a Charter member of the WWII Memorial in Washington DC and New Orleans, a life- time member of the VFW, American Legion, Mason’s and the Marine Corps League. He belonged to the Elks Club for 40 years. He has been recognized for various accomplishments by Illinois State Senator, Stan Weaver and Tim Johnson, Governors Dwight Green, James Thompson and George Ryan, Secretary of the State of Illinois, Jesse White, Presidents, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. In 1995 he was proud to be one of six Grand Marshals to lead the Urbana-Champaign 4th of July parade. He was most proud when the Mayor of Urbana Diane Marlin presented him with the key to the City on December 20th, 2020.    Though a hero to his family, friends, and community, James never hesitated to say his heroes were those who never made it home from war and the women that stayed in the states – manufacturing necessary military equipment.

Visitation will be held at Renner-Wikoff Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 from 11-1:00 p.m. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 Philo Road, Urbana, IL 61802. Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. with Kevin Bowersox-Johnson officiating. Graveside service at Woodlawn Cemetery with military rites. Reception will be help following at the VFW POST 630: 1303 E Main St., Urbana, IL.  Condolences may be sent at www.rennerwikoffchapel.com