Earl Allen “Al” Kelley

Earl ‘Al’ Allen Kelley passed in peace on August 13, 2016 at the age of 83 after a celebrated life well-lived.

Al was born December 24, 1932 in Dearing, Kansas, the son of Frank and Bertice (McColm) Kelley. He married his beloved Barbara ‘Barb’ Ann Hampton on April 10, 1955 in Oskaloosa, KS. She survives of the home. Other survivors include: a daughter, Kirsten Reecy of Tremont, Il; two sons: Allen Kelley and his wife Janet of Lawrence, KS, and Jeff Kelley of Portland, Oregon. Al also leaves behind one sister, Mavis Clark of Grandview Missouri, one brother, Larry Kelley of Peoria, IL, 11 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dean Kelley.

Al attended the University of Kansas where he was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He played men’s basketball for the Jayhawks on the freshman squad in 1951, and the varsity squad from 1952-1954. He was a member of the 1952 team that won the NCAA National Championship. At Kansas Al made All-Big Seven in 1953 & 1954. In 1953 he was initiated into the Sachem chapter of the Omicron Delta Kappa fraternity. In the 1954 season, he led the Jayhawks in free throw shooting with 86.2 percent, which at the time ranked second in the nation. That same year he participated in the East-West All-Star game. Al then joined Caterpillar’s college graduate training program and played for its AAU team. Caterpillar traveled to Rio de Janeiro in 1954, where it won the All-World Championship. For two years (1956 & 1957), Al served in the US Air Force. While with the Air Force AAU team in 1957, he won the AAU National Championship in Denver, CO. He repeated the feat in 1958 after rejoining Caterpillar’s team. In 1960, Al was selected to play for the United States Olympic Team after Caterpillar fell to the College All-Stars in the playoff game. The Olympic team went on to win the gold medal in Rome. His favorite memories of the Olympic experience were watching an 18 year old Cassius Clay dominate the boxing scene, and of the American Flag being raised while our National Anthem played during the presentation ceremony. In 1984 Al was inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame. In 1985 he was inducted into the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. Al worked for Caterpillar Tractor Company for four and a half decades. He retired in 1999 as the manager of the parts department at the Denver Plant after a career that spanned almost as many accolades (and relocations, the family recounts) as years. Al was elected to the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2010 he was elected to the National Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts as a member of the 1960 Olympic team. In 2013 he was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.

Al will be fondly remembered by family and friends in many ways: As a loving and devoted husband to Barb, and as an inspiring and adoring Patriarch to his children and grandchildren. As an admired and loyal friend. As a proud patriot and Air Force Veteran. As a gold medal Olympian, and a member of the 1952 KU champion basketball team. As a shining example of the benefits of hard work and perseverance. His character framed his accomplishments beautifully. He often said, ‘I’m a Kansan by birth, but a Jayhawk by the Grace of God!’

God Speed & Rock Chalk, Al. There’s no place like home..

‘Far above the distant humming of the busy town, reared against the dome of heaven. Looks s[he] proudly down.’

A celebration of life will be held in honor of Earl Allen ‘Al’ Kelley at the Adams Alumni Center (1266 Oread Avenue, Lawrence KS~ KU Campus) on Saturday, August 27th from 2-5 PM.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Al’s name to KU Endowment or Grace Hospice, and sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

10 Condolences

  1. Shade K Little on August 15, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    Thanks for making me welcome!!



  2. joyce ristich on August 17, 2016 at 9:38 am

    You have my deepest sympathy.



  3. John Esau on August 17, 2016 at 11:15 am

    Al was a loyal Jayhawk fan and faithful Delta Upsilon Fraternity Brother. A true gentleman and wonderful example, Al will be fondly remembered and deeply missed. My Sincere Sympathy to Barb and the whole family. -JE



  4. Ron Jensen on August 18, 2016 at 8:44 am

    Our prayers are with the family. Al was one of the warmest, welcoming men I’ve had the pleasure to work with. May his legacy live on through those he touched, and may God give comfort and strength to all who miss him.



  5. Carl and Joyce Burkhead on August 18, 2016 at 4:50 pm

    To the Kelley Family:
    Joyce and I want to express our love and respect to the Kelley family and to thank them for their son, Dr. Allen Kelley, who has been our dentist many years. He, like his father, is a true professional; one who has demonstrated skills needed by lots of folks in and around Lawrence. I, Carl, had an opportunity to meet Mr. and Mrs. Kelley at Pioneer Ridge about a year ago. That’s about it as far as knowing them except for the knowledge of Senior Al’s KU exploits. Now Allen the Younger is carrying the Kelley mantle. Lord, give him a double portion of Your Spirit that he can carry the mantle and reach the heights that his father did. In Christ, Carl and Joyce Burkhead



  6. Dave & Janis Lee on August 20, 2016 at 7:38 am

    We have been friends of Barb & Al since they moved to Tremont in the early 1980’s. Barb and Jan were garden friends while Dave & Al played a lot of tennis. Whenever Al would start losing, he would say “Cumin back!” & he would. Almost always went out for dinner on Friday notes. Really missed them when they moved back to Kansas.
    Dave & Janis Lee



  7. Dave Lee on August 20, 2016 at 8:01 am

    What a special friendship we shared. Fierce warriors on the tennis court fast friends after the last point. These and many more memories I will carry to my end. Thank you Al for these memories. Keep on keeping on my friend and may your fifth quarter be as enjoyable as your first quarters. Dave



  8. William Teo (Singapore) on August 23, 2016 at 9:52 am

    I wish to send my condolence to Mrs. Barb Kelley.
    Dear Mrs Kelley,
    I am sadden by the news of the passing of my former boss, Mr. Al Kelley.
    I am William Teo from Singapore. I worked in Morton Parts from 1989 to 1995. I spent a good part of my USA assignment working for Mr. Al Kelley. He was a very supportive and understanding boss to me. Through his guidance and wise counsel from his many years of service, I learnt much from him during my assignment in Morton. Because of him, I was able to “sail thru” not withstanding that it was a difficult time when Morton Parts was working without a Labor Contract. No task, no hill is too steep to climb, when you have a boss like Mr. Al Kelley. His will be dearly missed and always remembered as a boss anyone would be proud to have as a mentor.
    Sincerely
    William Teo
    jwwilliamteo@gmail.com



  9. Clark and Ann Egbert on August 27, 2016 at 11:49 am

    Dear Barb and family:



  10. Clark and Ann Egbert on August 27, 2016 at 12:15 pm

    Dear Barb and family:
    So sorry to hear of Al’s passing. He was a wonderful person with a great personality. I know Clark enjoyed and appreciated the cattle partnership with “the Kelley brothers” along with the opportunity of farming some of their farm ground. May God bless and comfort you in the time ahead!
    With our deepest sympathy~~Clark and Ann, Austin & Caylee



Leave a Condolence