James Gary “Jim” Kelly

Funeral services for James Gary “Jim” Kelly, 70, of Cairo, GA, are at 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 19, 2018, at the First Baptist Church, Cairo, GA.  Rev. Ron McCaskill will officiate.  Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Gainesville, GA, at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2018, with Rev. Sammy Everett officiating at graveside.  Mr. Kelly passed away at Archbold Memorial Hospital in Thomasville, GA, on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Hyder, Jerry, Ridley, Dr. Eric Lehman, Lt. Col. Brandon Kelly, Dr. Wayne Moffett and Bobby Miller. 

Gary was born on August 16, 1947, in Atlanta, GA, to the late James Marion Kelly and Nellie Ruth Elder Kelly.  Mr. Kelly served his country in the United States Coast Guard.  On November 18, 1967, he married Judie Sharpton Kelly, who survives.  His career in law enforcement spanned twenty-five years from Patrolman in Atlanta, GA to Chief of Police in Cairo, GA and the first Mitchell County 911 Director.  He and wife, Judie, opened Moss Oaks Bed and Breakfast in 1995 and Shamrock Realty in 2000 where he was the broker.  He was a member of First Baptist Church of Cairo. 

Survivors include: wife, Judie Sharpton Kelly of Cairo, GA; son, Brandon Kelly (Sherry) of Hahira, GA; grandchildren, Dakota and Dinae Kelly of Tucson, AZ, Julia Kelly of Gainesville, GA, Dylan Logan of Hahira, GA; and a sister, Deborah K. Purser (Stanley) of Griffin, GA. 

 He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Brian Patrick Kelly. 

Memorials may be made in Mr. Kelly's memory to: Archbold Foundation, Attention Vann Middleton, Designate Lewis Hall Singletary Oncology Fund, 910 S. Broad Street, Thomasville, GA 31792.    

The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church the hour prior to the service and after the service in the Fellowship Hall.

Guests may sign the online register at www.clarkfuneral.com.

Memorial Park Funeral Home North Riverside Chapel is in charge of local arrangements.