Forest Levan Kelly

Forest “Levan” Kelly Levan Kelly, husband, father & grandfather, mentor, Elder, rancher, business partner, patriot and friend completed a “fabulous” life on this earth January 18, 2015 at age 90. Born at home in Bristow, Oklahoma as the second of five sons to Albert Kelly and Dorcas Burnam Tracy (Kelly) on October 21, 1924, Levan was reared by successful parents, Albert (a farmer/businessman/banker) and Dorcas (a nurse). He attended Bristow Public Schools and graduated from high school at the New Mexico Military Institute in 1942. Conscripted into the U. S. Army after graduation, he completed officer training, was assigned as an officer in the Pacific theatre in World War II, and was discharged as a First Lieutenant in 1946, at war-end. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1948 with a degree in finance, at which time he returned to Bristow to begin his career, managing a Kelly family cotton gin business. Quickly, he, along with his mother and four brothers, formed Kelly Brothers, a business trust, which he managed for most of his life. Starting as a small ranching and land development business, eventually Kelly Brothers grew to include three large cattle ranches with extensive real estate holdings. It continues as a successful business today. Other business responsibilities included long terms as a member of the Boards of Directors of SpiritBank, the successor to the American National Bank in Bristow, and the Citizens State Bank in Okemah. Levan and Betty Ross McMillan were married in 1950 and shared 65 years together. They had three children, Melinda Kelly Mercer (married to Melville M. Mercer, Jr., MD), Forest Bradford “Brad” Kelly, and the late Susan Kelly Fesperman (married to Raymond Lynn Fesperman). Grandchildren include Kelly Ross Mercer (married to Shelly Bowles Mercer), Logan Rogers Mercer, and Payton Daltar Fesperman (with Jared Hamilton Lyon). Levan was a long-time member and Elder of the Bristow Presbyterian Church. Later, he became an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa. Levan was a Rotarian since 1949. He served as President of the Bristow Rotary Club in 1955-1956 and as a Rotary District Governor in 1967-1968. Other service included the Bristow City Council, President of the Bristow Public Schools Board of Education, Vice President of the Bristow Chamber of Commerce, President and Director of the Bristow Memorial Hospital Foundation, Vice President and Director of the Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association, Director and President of the Bristow United Fund, Committeeman of the Oklahoma Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Vice President of the Little Deep Fork Watershed Association, member of the Tulsa Farm Club, member of the Oklahoma Heritage Association, member of the Bristow Elks Club, Founding Director of the Freeland Center for the Performing Arts in Bristow, past Board of Directors member for the Salvation Army, member of the American Legion and Founding Member of the Board of Directors for the Inverness Continuing Care Retirement Community in Tulsa. He was a Boy Scout and attended the First Scout National Jamboree in 1937. Awards include an induction into the Bristow Education Foundation Hall of Fame and being honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. In addition to the family previously mentioned, Levan was preceded in death by Albert Charles Kelly (brother), Oliver Tracy Kelly (brother), Susan Kelly Fesperman (daughter), and his parents. Living family members include Betty Ross McMillan Kelly (wife), brothers William Royce Kelly and Allison Asbury Kelly, sister-in-law Polly Kelly, nephews Albert “Kell” Kelly, Jr., Peter Kelly, Trevor Kelly, Matthew Kelly, nieces Faith Kelly Clune, Hope Kelly Dobias, Joy Kelly, Amy Kelly Schueler, Sarah Kelly Combs, and Tabitha Kelly Cornell and their respective husbands/wives/ children/significant others. We would like to express our profound appreciation to Ron Miller, Estella Gibbs and the staff of Heather Hall at the Inverness Village Continuing Care Retirement Community for their love and care of Levan over the last 15 months. Donations, in lieu of flowers or gifts, should be directed to the Boy Scouts of America, the Bristow Presbyterian Church or Rotary International. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Levan, without a doubt, lived life as a reflection of the two “Great Commandments”, loving Almighty God and loving his neighbor. He was “the best” husband, a loving father, a mentor and friend to his sons-in-law, a compassionate boss, a “true” friend to multitudes, and a real “cut-up”. His passion for service was un-paralleled. Many, many lives were touched and improved through his care and attention. He will be “sorely” missed. However, the remembrance of the blessings that we all shared by having him in our lives will overwhelm our sorrow and bring solace and joy to us all. Thank God for Levan Kelly!

Forest Levan Kelly

October 21, 1924 - January 18, 2015