Funeral services for James Joseph "Jim" Kelly, 94, of Newark, will be held at the REED EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, 11:00 A.M., Thursday, April 13, 2017 with Rev. JCP Sullivan, Parish Priest, as celebrant. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Cemetery, Lancaster, Ohio.

Jim died at Price Road Health and Rehabilitation Center on Sunday, April 9, 2017. He was born in Lancaster, Ohio on February 20, 1923, one of seven children to the late Clarence and Sarah (Bebout) Kelly.

Jim served in the U.S. Army stationed in England and France during World War II. While stationed in England he met and married his English "war bride" who immigrated to the United States, Newark, Ohio in 1946. As a successful business man, Jim owned and operated a series of Sohio service stations in Granville, Newark and Heath. He was known for providing employment to several young men starting out after high school. Always a hard worker, upon "retirement" James returned to his first love, and dream since boyhood, of farming and did so in partnership with his sons running a cattle herd on Flint Ridge Road.

Jim was active in the community and a member of the Newark American Legion Post 85, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1960, Newark Eagles, Aerie 387, and was a Past Governor of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge 499.

Jim is survived by his sons Daryl (Carolyn) and Patrick (Gail) Kelly; stepsons, Steve Campbell and Don (Wanda) Campbell; grandchildren Colleen Kelly (Kent) Martini, Erin Kelly (Warren) Simpson, Brandy and Brett Sydler, Bridget and Brice Kelly, Tara Campbell, Tammy Campbell Oliver and Kimberly Campbell Price; and his sister, Mary Alice Freeman.

Friends and family may call at the funeral home from 5-7 P.M., Wednesday, April 12, 2017.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his second wife Ruth Penick Kelly, sisters Madeline and Eileen, and brothers Leo, Albert, and John Kelly.

To share your memory of Jim or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com.