James H Kelly
June 11, 1947 ~ August 30, 2020
James “Jim” Howard Kelly of Danville, Kentucky passed away August 30, 2020. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia on June 11, 1947 to Howard G. and Irene D. Kelly. He attended St. Albans High School and West Virginia State University. He retired from Stage Inc. He was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Carol Sue Burdette, and brother-in-law Leo Burdette.
Jim is survived by his spouse Karen Elizabeth Sanderlin Kelly, one son, John Andrew Kelly (Kim Sanders), one daughter, Susan Elizabeth Kelly (Ted Roll), one granddaughter, Avalyn Elizabeth Kelly, one grandson, Evan Sanders, three step-grandsons; Seth Roll, Ian Roll, and Josh Roll, three nieces; Ginny Sanderlin (Christy), Carol Burdette, Christina Burdette, and brother-in-law Tom Sanderlin (Anne).
The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, September 4, 2020 at Stith Funeral Home in Danville. Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm prior to the service. Memorial donations are suggested to the American Brain Tumor Association or the Danville-Boyle County Humane Society. Hugs from Home information and the online guestbook are available at www.stithcares.com.
Visitiation: 11 am to 1 pm Friday, September 4 at Stith Funeral Home in Danville
Funeral Service: 1 pm Friday, September 4 at Stith Funeral Home in Danville
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Sorry for your loss great man
My heart breaks with the news of Jim\’s passing. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Susan I am so sadden to read of your Dad’s untimely death. I am thinking of all the memories you have and know that they are so special now, more than before. They will make you laugh and cry. It is ok to be sad and happy at the same time. I know too well, just know that you and your dear family on in my thoughts and prayers. Love you
Lots of great memories of \”Mr. K\” from Watson\’s in Ashland/Russell in the 80\’s & 90\’s. He was the boss I learned the most from. I passed along a lot of his quotes and business best practices which led to successful stores. Wish I could be there! My condolences to Karen, Susan & John and families. Everyone loved Mr. Kelly!!
The best boss ever! I can hear his Vickie Sue now! I worked for him in Danville. He still came into the store and he never failed to stop and chat.He was firm but always understanding and I respected him so very much. He taught me about customer service for sure! When in doubt I would always ask myself “What would JK do” We had a lot of laughs and a few tears and I’ll miss him.
I’ll miss you Mr Kelly
I’ll miss you Mr Kelly
I’ll miss you Mr Kelly
This makes me so sad to read of Jim’s passing. I knew him from his Watson’s days. We were both store managers in different locations. He was just the nicest man, a true gentleman with a permanent smile on his face. His positive attitude was contagious. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Oh Susan we are so sorry.
Sorry for your loss Karen and family ! Mr. Kelly was the best boss and kindest soul I knew !!
Remembering a great man
Jim was always such fun to be around and a wonderful man. Karen my heart goes out to you and your family at this very difficult time. I will always think of him and smile.
Much love to all of you.
Karen, John and Susan you have lost a great man that everybody loved. He was one of my best friends for last fifty years. While traveling to New York to purchase merchandise for the men\’s and children\’s department for our stores was some great times I will miss him RIP my dear friend Bill Javins
Sorry for your loss
Karen, John, Susan and Families, our hearts go out to you during this time of loss. Please know that everyone who ever knew Jim mourns his passing along side of you. Jim was my friend for more years that either of us would like to admit. Our journey is marked by so many good times and too many funny store to tell. I will miss our times together and all the times we have talked on the phone. I have always said that when I leave this world, I hope that I leave \”happy tracks\”. My friend Jim surly left a lot of \”happy tracks\”. May you find peace in your faith.
Susan, Thinking if you and your family! Sending hugs, and prayers your way. Always remember the good times, and what a blessing it was to have such a great Dad! I love you, my friend!
Karen, Susan, and Jon I am so sad to hear about Jim‘s passing. After I transferred to the Kmart In Ashland Kentucky my first two or three days Jim came down to introduce him self to me and invite me to a rotary luncheon that we did for several years. Jim was the nicest man he never met a stranger while using his boat at Grayson lake with us in our boat he couldn’t pass another boat or a pontoon without waving and being just a friendly sort of guy that he always was vacationing with him And our families at Sanibel Island Florida JIM was a riot he was a Sandcastle building expert not much of a fisherman but just lots of fun calling bingo and just making everybody feel good. I will always remember the good times in family fun that we had for years. JIM was a great guy and he will be missed by a lot of people.
Great man work with him atson)
I will miss Jim greatly. We had so many good times together. Enjoyed our lunches over the last several years with the crew. He will greatly be missed.