James Crisley McKelly
Died on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 after receiving the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church. Jim was born on April 30, 1933 to Esther and Louis F. McKelly. He was the son-in-law of Helen and Robert Strauss.
Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. He married Barbara Strauss in 1958. Their children are James C. (Sharyn Pulling) McKelly and Mary McKelly (John) Hartung. Their grandchildren are Joseph and Christopher Hartung and Mary “Mimi” McKelly. The late Helen and John Phelan, and Mary R. “Bobbie” and Vince Nangle were Jim’s in-laws with whom he shared many memories. Jim and Barb are especially close to their nieces and nephews and many of their friends feel like family. All turned to him for his wise counsel.
Jim was a graduate of St. Louis University High School and St. Louis University. He was a veteran who served in the US Army. While still in school, Jim assisted his father in the church furniture business. He provided and installed the pews for churches all over the region.
Through that work Jim developed his unusual eye for design and lifelong love of woodworking. Eventually Jim went to McDonnell Douglas and stayed on at Boeing.
Jim lived his quiet faith steadfastly. A man of great dignity, authenticity and a circumspect, judicious calm, he brought to his friends and his loved ones a humility and a generosity of spirit that made him both respected and beloved.
Services: Visitation and funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 3 at St. Anselm at The Abbey Catholic Church, 530 S. Mason Rd., St. Louis, MO 63141. Visitation at 10 a.m. with the Mass to follow at 11 a.m. Burial at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Louis University High School.
Condolence(1)-
Bonnie Barkey Moore says
February 2, 2024 at 9:36 pmCan never say enough good things about Jim McKelly. A wonderful person. My late husband, George, and I met Jim at McDonnell Douglas and developed a wonderful and lasting friendship. I extend my sympathy to Jim’s family in their loss. He loved his family and over the years that I worked for Jim I heard many stories of his children growing up – he was so proud of them. George and he continued their friendship after they were both retired and shared stories over breakfasts and lunches. God Bless Jim!