Earl Eugene "Gene" Kelly's Obituary
Gene Kelly, a native Oklahoman, found it was just an oversight of geography for the man who enjoyed the best of many world’s only possible through small town living when he purchased and built from the ground up “Wine Glass Ranch” in Elk County, Kansas with his wife, Jan.
A rancher and owner of the Howard State Bank, Gene passed away Monday, November 28, 2016 at Pleasant Valley Manor in Sedan, Kansas. He was born April 17, 1931, the oldest of 5 boys to Lee and Eva (Jackson) Kelly in Grainola, Oklahoma. Gene attended Grainola High School, Ark City Junior College, and Oklahoma A&M University before serving 2 years in the United States Army.
Gene met Jan and they married September 21, 1957 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. For a short time, they had a ranch in Rock, Kansas before settling at the current Wine Glass Ranch. Gene’s background in ranching and farming was a great asset to the Wine Glass Ranch. During this time a son, Ken, was born, who has worked alongside his father and continues to maintain the family ranch.
In the 1980’s, Gene became a stockholder and later majority owner of the Howard State Bank that now has 4 branches. However, Gene’s true passion was raising Hereford cattle. In his earlier years, Gene was a calf-roper and participated on their Ranch Rodeo Team
Gene is survived by his wife, Jan, of the home, son Ken and granddaughters Kactus (Miles) Bidwell of Manhattan, Kansas and Kanyon Kelly of Caney, Kansas and great grandson Kash Bidwell; brothers Chuck Kelly of Grainola, Oklahoma and Carl Kelly of Hewins, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Robert and Paul Kelly.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at Countryside Funeral Home at 206 East Washington in Howard, Kansas. Funeral Services will be Thursday, December 1, 2016 at the Severy United Methodist Church with Pastors Dave Warren and Stacy Ellsworth officiating. Interment will be at South Lawn Cemetery in Severy, Kansas. Arrangements are being made with Countryside Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com
What’s your fondest memory of Earl?
What’s a lesson you learned from Earl?
Share a story where Earl's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Earl you’ll never forget.
How did Earl make you smile?
