Arthur 'Mike' Kelly was born February 21, 1937 to Art Joseph Kelly and Reed Skinner Kelly in Wichita, KS. He attended Maur Hill Academy and then graduated Wichita State University in 1959 with a BA in Geology. He moved to Oklahoma City with his wife Glenda soon after graduation. He would spend the next 60 years married to the love of his life while raising five children, Michael, Brian, Tammy, Timmy and Christy. Mike and Glenda celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary June 17, 2018.
Mike's accomplishments are numerous and varied. He began selling home lots, then home building, including a stint as the Oklahoma Home Builders Assoc President. Mike also started Shamrock Construction helping pioneer pre-fab construction with Pizza Hut restaurants when he teamed up with old high school friends, The Carney bros, canvasing the US with the unique style buildings we still see today. He became a major holder of Chi Chi's restaurant and introduced America to Tex-Mex food. Kelly-Johnston Enterprises catapulted his success to greater heights with Joe Kelly's restaurants, including 'Stock of the Year'. This success would be over-shadowed by the unexpected death of Mike and Glenda's youngest son, Timmy. Despite this great hardship, Mike and Glenda found strength in their family and continued on. Mike soon found himself in Tulsa running an employment service with his son, Brian Kelly, growing Green Country Staffing to become a leader in the Tulsa market over the last 30 years.
Mike Kelly was the kindest, sweetest, most passionate man. His smile lit up any room. He brought a smile to strangers and friends alike. He was generous in spirit and inclusion of all those around him. His 'extended' family is enormous. One of his favorite traditions was calling old friends each Christmas season to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, catching up and reminiscing. To know him was to love him. He shared a birthday with his oldest daughter. He always said she was the best present he could receive. His biggest passion was his wife and family. Some may argue his dogs and koi fish were top of his list. He was a long-time TU supporter, attending football and basketball games with his grandson JL and son-in-law Brian Cozad for the last 20 years.
He was a fantastic husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His guide to life was the bible. He was one of a kind and cannot be replaced. He was an inspiration, mentor and great leader. His accomplishments are too numerous to condense into one paragraph. He was simply amazing and empowered others to accomplish things that would otherwise seem impossible. He did not see obstacles in life or business. He was a fighter to the end. He was 'Chairman of the Board'; he did things HIS way.
He was surrounded by family as he made his way peacefully to Heaven on December 22, 2018. He is survived by his wife Glenda, sons Michael and Brian and daughters Tammy and Christy. He was very proud of his large family, including his thirteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and another three on the way. His love for his dogs and koi fish were right behind his love for his family. He will be missed by all that knew him. God Bless him.
Rosary will be 6:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. A 1:00 P.M. Funeral Mass will be held in Oklahoma City, OK at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on Thursday, December 27th. Burial will be at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233. Share memories at www.moorefuneral.com