Darryl Jan Kelly

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Darryl Jan Kelly, 81, of Jonesboro, passed from this life on Monday, September 18, 2023, at St. Bernards Medical Center. He was born to George and Bernice Kelly on August 13, 1942, in Latrobe, Pa.

Darryl received his master’s in history from Arkansas State University. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and a retired teacher, having taught 30-plus years in Texas, Pennsylvania and Arkansas.

Darryl was a faithful member of Magnolia Road Church, keeping very busy on Sunday, setting mics and running the sound board, recording a video of the service and then posting it to social media. In his free time, Darryl enjoyed photography and being a HAM radio operator. His call sign was KK5IB.

Photography led Darryl to a late-life romance and marriage when he took a job as the photographer for a bus tour to New England. Both Darryl and Linda had lost their spouses but had not yet started to venture out much. Linda had been encouraged by friends to take the trip as a way to return to socializing and meeting people. When Linda’s camera broke, Darryl was quick to take a look at it and advise Linda on what to do. And for the rest of the trip Darryl took lots of extra photos of Linda.

Darryl’s other favorite pastime was traveling the United States and around the world with Linda. They always made it a point to learn about the culture of the countries they visited and enjoyed looking over their many photos taken. Their latest trip to the Holy Land was one they particularly enjoyed. Darryl had been a member of a Bible study group in the Navy which required members to memorize scriptures every week. After seeing so many sites in Israel that they remember reading about, Darryl said, “Now when we read the Bible, we will never see things the same way.”

Darryl’s family saw him as a servant and a caregiver. He demonstrated his desire to be a servant with the late Rev. Emil Williams, whom he helped during Williams’ later years, setting up video sessions at home when weather or the pastor’s health made traveling to the church difficult, or maybe subbing for him in a Bible study or in the pulpit.

His sisters said that he had always helped care for his whole family, as a father, a brother and as a husband. He never wanted to be a star, he told them. He relished staying in the background, serving others. He had a generous spirit when help was needed.

Darryl was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Betty Kelly.

He is survived by his wife of thirteen and one-half years, Linda Kelly, of Jonesboro; two sons, Darryl Kelly II of Memphis and James Kelly of Bono; a daughter, Shawna Johnson (Adam), of Memphis; a brother, George Robert Kelly (Rhea) of Nixa, Mo.; three sisters, Connie Seay (Ralph) of Jonesboro, Bonnie Beal of Jonesboro, and Esther Wagner (David) of Kansas City, Mo.; and five grandchildren, Darryl “Trey” Kelly III, Kathryn Kelly, Jack Kelly, Knox Johnson and Haddon Johnson. Darryl also leaves behind a host of family and friends to mourn his loss.

The visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2023, followed by the funeral service at 10:30 a.m., both at Emerson Funeral Home, with Dr. Rodney Reeves and Todd Rouse officiating. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Active pallbearers include Darryl Kelly II, James Kelly, Adam Johnson, Trey Kelly, Norman Dickson and Dr. Carl Abraham. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Northeast Arkansas Radio Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Magnolia Road Church, 911 Magnolia Road, Jonesboro, AR 72401.