James Gregory Kelly

Jim Kelley was born in Taft, California October 12, 1944 and went home to be with the Lord, June 9, 2018.  He was preceded in death by his mother; Muriel "Midge" Elaine Dickey stepfather: Floyd Austin Dickey.  He leaves behind sister; Sunnie Sumner, sister and brother in-law; Dawn and Jim Padgett, niece; Shawn Holmes, niece and husband; Valli and Jeff Storm, niece and husband; Heather and Scott Niblett, niece and husband; Laney and Mike Pait nephew; Dale Padgett, niece; Pam Ware, nephew; Kevin Padgett, niece; Cheri Roben along with numerous great and great, great nieces and nephews

Jim worked in the oilfields for numerous years. Two of the companies he was with were West-Side Oilfield Const. and Howard Caywood. He was known as one of the best backhoe operators in Kern County. He had many interests, one of them was his love of cars and Harleys. He enjoyed making his yearly trip to Sturgis on his Harley with his buddies. He also enjoyed building Harleys, choppers, and working on cars.

He also enjoyed his fishing trips especially the ones he took with his step-dad. Uncle Buddy loved playing jokes and joking around whether the other person thought it was funny or not. Uncle Buddy was always the fun Uncle! He would take us for rides on his bikes or drive fast on the way to the coast. But most of all he loved his family and close friends with no expectations from them. He was a very loyal person and if he thought you deserved his loyalty, you had it forever! There was a side that most did not know and that is how much he did for the people who needed help. If you needed a shirt, he would give you his off his back.                                                            

Not forgotten, just gone riding!!!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Gregory Kelly, please visit our floral store.