George Ross Kelly, Jr

George Ross Kelly, Jr formerly of Statesboro, GA passed away on Tuesday, October 20^th, 2020 at the age of 74.

The eldest son of George and Emma Kelly, and one of ten Kelly children to grow up in Statesboro, Ross graduated from Georgia Southern College in 1972.  After completing graduate school at the University of Georgia in 1974 his professional career was varied and accomplished, spanned several decades and saw him visit five continents.  He was an inspiring and charismatic leader.

As a young man, he inherited his mother’s musical talent and toured the south as a gigging musician in high school.  This experience gave rise to his tolerant and progressive attitude towards issues of race relations.  To Ross Kelly, men and women were all of equal worth and whose only measure was their willingness to embrace their own potential.

As a life-long supporter of his mother’s music career, Ross championed her admission into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and after her death in 2001, wrote several books about her life and career, and produced several tribute concerts and stage shows.  

Just a thought: after suffering a stroke in 2016, Ross rose to the occasion and wrote a book entitled “It’s All About The Work” with the intention of helping and inspiring others who had endured as he had.  He became the leader of the Stroke support group in Gainesville to continue his support of others.

Ross is survived by his wife, Jennifer Parker of Commerce, Georgia; Brenda Kelly, mother to his three children; sons and daughter, Brett Kelly, Rob Kelly and Erin Knight; and eight grandchildren, Morgan Baird, London Cornelius, Emerie Germ, Isabel Knight, Grayson Knight, Juliet Knight, Finnegan Kelly and Grace Kelly.

Ross Kelly was an eternally optimistic and kind person.  He saw the best in people and wanted to see them succeed.  He was a great listener and a tremendous communicator.  He had the talent to stir people to action and the heart to use that skill only for the best purposes.  The world is worse off for having lost him but all the better for the lives he touched.  There will never be anyone quite like him.

A Celebration of Life for family will be held in Statesboro at a later date.