Ronald W. Kelly - 1935-2017 – With family surrounding him, Ron Kelly was summoned for his “Last Call” on Friday, May 19, 2017.

Ron was born April 24, 1935 to the late Ethelyn (Clark) and Kenneth Kelly. It is said that his mother went prematurely into labor two weeks before the day of Ron’s birth during the 1935 Masters Golf Tournament. Gene Sarazen had just made his infamous Double Eagle on the 485 yard 15th hole. This “Shot Heard Around the World” was most definitely heard in Hart, Michigan, and instilled something in Ron, because after two more weeks of meticulously planning his escape route, Ron came into this world with “club in hand” and ready to match Mr. Sarazen’s feat!

As a graduate of Owosso High School and the General Motors Institute (GMI) near Flint, Ron was a natural engineer and a meticulous man. Ron was also a skilled master craftsman and discriminating woodworker. Ron could build anything from toy trucks to full size sailboats. And painstaking home renovations? They were a hobby to Ron!

Ron was an adoring husband, fun father, bossy brother, understanding uncle, wise grandfather and loyal friend.

Ron is survived by:
Wife: Gail Terkelsen (Rider) Kelly of Fairfield Glade, Tennessee

Sister: Terry Kelly Bowersox of Saint Petersburg, Florida

3 Daughters: Jill Kelly Schaefer
Erin (Kelly) and Jim Radley
Linda (Rider) and Owen Fletke

4 Sons: Scott and Rebecca Kelly
Doug and Kirsten Kelly
Doug and Shawn Rider
Eric Rider

21 Grandchildren, 5 Great Grandchildren, Several Nieces and Nephews

In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by: Grandson Phillip Kelly and Sister Patricia Kelly Gurden.

For 82 years, Ron built his life on a foundation of laughter, golf, compassion, wisdom, broken putters and “the 19th-hole.” A life-long Oldsmobile engineer, Ron retired from Olds in Lansing, Michigan in 1989. Shortly thereafter, he and the love of his life, Gail, transplanted themselves to Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. There, Ron not only became a significant part of that golfing community, but the local culture as well. Ron served on the Golf Committee, was a volunteer firefighter, was one of the “Founding Fathers” of the Yukon Jacks and was proud to achieve his “Sommeliers’ Status” with the local “Tennessee Back Hills Wine.”
Ron often said he lived during “The Greatest Generation.” He did. He loved life. Loved his family and loved the game of golf. From his Owosso roots to his Glade life, he fulfilled his life’s dreams. And as for his Sarazen’s Double Eagle goal - he did that too. Of his four hole-in-ones in life, one of them was on a Par 4 at Oceana C.C. It might not have been a “shot heard around the world” but the ripples of this shot in Kelly’s life were ever-lasting and made him ever-so-proud.

On a serious note, we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the staff at Hospice and the Cumberland House of Crossville, TN, for the amazing care given and the compassion shown during Ron's final days.

As per his wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held July 22, 2017 in Fairfield Glade, Tennessee (proper golf attire is required).

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Tennessee to: Hospice of Cumberland County, 30 E. Adams St, Crossville, Tennessee, 38555 and in Michigan to: Ledge Meadows Golf Course, 1801 Grand Ledge Hwy, Grand Ledge, MI, 48837. Donations in Michigan will be used for planting a Red Maple tree in Ron’s honor.

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