Patrick “Pat” Kelley
Pat was born on October 27, 1948, to Gilbert and Wilma “Billie” Kelley in Maryville, MO, a middle child in a family of six boys. Pat always described his family as having two in diapers, two in college, and two into everything else, and he was one into everything else. The stories are endless of them growing up on the farm in Savannah, MO, playing sports, and escaping death multiple times. He and his brothers also participated in Boy Scouts, with all six becoming Eagle Scouts. Pat graduated from Savannah High School in 1966, where he played football, basketball, and ran hurdles for the track team.
After high school, Pat attended William Jewell College, where he graduated with a degree in mathematics in 1970. While at William Jewell, Pat played football and was introduced to his future wife, Nancy. Pat was on the track team, captaining his senior year, and was Commander of the Sigma Nu fraternity. After graduating, Pat worked for a construction company, traveling across the state (which allowed him to regularly visit Nancy in St. Louis), and eventually owned his own construction company.
On July 31, 1976, Pat and Nancy married in St. Louis, MO. They spent the following 48+ years, primarily in Lee’s Summit, MO, sharing a life full of love and fun. Together they raised three kids imparting on them the importance of serving others and giving back.
Pat was called into the ministry and graduated with a Masters of Divinity from St. Paul’s School of Theology in 1985. After joining the ministry, Pat pastored at multiple churches in the Kansas City area, including Virginia/Passaic, Glenwood Park UMC, Holden UMC, and Lee’s Summit UMC. Pat touched hundreds of lives through Sunday services, performing weddings, hospital visits, and hospice care.
In addition to serving through the ministry, Pat was also called into public service. For 16 years, from 1984 to 2000, Pat served as state representative for parts of Lee’s Summit, Raytown, and Kansas City. During his time in the General Assembly, he was awarded Republican Outstanding Freshman Legislator for the 1987-88 session, and served as Caucus Chairman in 1991 and 1992 and Minority Floor Leader in 1993 and 1994.
When not serving his community, Pat loved spending time with family and enjoying sports. He loved taking vacations with his family, including several trips to Europe, Florida, Colorado, and DC. Since he was young, Pat spent many summers with family at the Lake of the Ozarks, skiing, floating, and fishing. He and Nancy often spent weekends at the Lake, singing “Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to the Lake we go!” along the way. For over 40 years, he could often be found cheering on his children and grandchildren at their many sporting and extracurricular events. When not at family games, he loved to cheer on the Royals and Chiefs. He was incredibly goofy and could be found in the middle of the dance floor every chance he got.
Pat was the epitome of living like Jesus, and he dedicated his life to serving others. He rejoiced with those in times of celebration and comforted those in times of grieving. He loved and cared deeply for every person he met. He regularly ended his sermons with “God loves you, and so do I.” He was a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, pastor, and friend to all. The world is a better place having had him in it, and he will be greatly missed.
Pat is preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Wilma “Billie” Kelley, and his brothers, David and Kim Kelley. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Kelley, his three children, Ryan Kelley (Mandy), Shane Kelley (Tiffany), and Kristen Pryor (Kwasi), his granddaughter, Victoria Kelley-Chiarelli (Evan), his six grandsons, Kwasi Jr., Patrick, Kasen, Thomas, Kamden, Kyren, great-granddaughter, Eleanor Chiarelli, his three brothers, Terry Kelley (Mary), Tim Kelley (Donna), and Kevin Kelley (Karol), and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at 5:00pm on Friday, April 25th at the Summit Church. Visitation will be held from 3:00-4:50pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Summit Church Lunch Program (https://thesummit.church/lunch) or City Union Mission
