James Hogan Kelly

February 9th, 1943 — October 12th, 2020

James Hogan Kelly was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on February 9, 1943 and died in Boulder, Colorado on October 12, 2020.

He graduated from Hopkins High School, attended the University of Minnesota, and graduated from NCR technical school with a computer science equivalency degree. Jim worked at small and large multinational companies in a technical and managerial capacity. He traveled all over the United States, Japan, and Europe relative to work.

Jim prioritized family over work.

He married JoAnn Martin on August 3, 1963 and raised a wonderful family in the Catholic Church. Jim cared deeply for his family and each of his children and their children’s education. As a provider, he ensured financially that each one had an opportunity to finish their higher education including JoAnn. Time with family was important to him and the years of family trips throughout Colorado and in Hawaii, Mexico and Florida hold memories to prove just that. He gave a gift of time, an Irish sense of humor, a strong work ethic and love to his family.

Through the years, Jim and JoAnn developed true friendships across continents. These friendships were dear to him and the entire family. Pilgrimages with close friends contributed to his and JoAnn’s spiritual lives. He enjoyed eleven years in Sun City where he perfected his woodworking craft and reunited with lifelong friends.

Jim is survived by his wife, JoAnn Kelly; his daughter, Karen Carter, her husband Dan Carter and their children Kelly Lopata married to Jon Lopata and their son Duke and Scott Carter married to Abby Carter; his daughter Christine Strang, her husband Dave Strang and their children Elizabeth Rich married to Preston Rich, Michelle Strang and her daughter, Grace Strang and John Strang; his son, Tim Kelly married to Sarah Wise and their children Orion Kelly and Iris Kelly; and his daughter Patricia Kelly married to Galen Gaarder and their children Josephine Gaarder and Gabriel Gaarder; his siblings Mike Kelly, Don Kelly and Kit Kelly: his nephews Kevin Kelly, Daniel Kelly, and Christopher Kelly.  He was preceded in death by his parents Owen and Bernice Kelly, his brother, Bill Kelly and niece Colleen Kelly.

May the winds of Heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear how much we love and miss you and wish that you were here.

Services

Services will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus, 1318 Mapleton, Boulder, CO 80304 on Friday, October 23, 2020. The rosary will start at 9:00 AM (MDT) followed by the service at 10 AM (MDT) with Father Dan presiding. We will livestream the rosary (9:00-9:30 AM) and service (10:00-11:00 AM) on the Sacred Heart of Jesus Youtube channel. The burial will be immediately following the service at Green Mountain Cemetery, 290 20th Street, Boulder, Colorado 80302.

Cemetery

Green Mountain Cemetery | Map

Location

None

Church

Sacred Heart of Jesus Church | Map

Condolences

I am so sorry for your loss. Mr Kelly left amazing memories for all of you to share. I know from visiting with Karen and Dan and their family that he was a very special man. With Love and sympathy, Carol Huesman
Fri, 2020-10-16 13:02
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Marge and a Pete Savage (old Saturday Nighters)
Fri, 2020-10-16 14:54
Sending lots of prayers & good vibes for the Kelly Family. Jim was an amazing man & his legacy will continue to live on through his children, grandchildren & all the lives that he touched. He is in eternal bliss now, one with his creator. May his soul Rest In Peace.. know that his laughter, joy & memories will live within your hearts forever ❤️ Love & Aloha Always, Hoyt, Shirin, Ria, Kiki & Leilani Frenzel
Sun, 2020-10-18 06:26
I remember several business trips with Jim while we were both at NCR in Wichita. A great sense of humor and always wanting to try new ways to get things done. I would be remiss if I didn't recall the softball game at NCR where Jim earned the nickname "King Kong Kelly" after taking out the second baseman with an imposing block as he attempted to advance from first base. I have fond memories and am sad to here of his passing. Tom Byrne
Sun, 2020-10-18 09:15
Sending the whole Kelly family love and appreciation for your amazing husband, dad, grandfather, and great grandfather! Jim Kelly will always hold a special place in my memories! Knowing him and the whole family in my college years in Boulder was a special treat! Then getting his referral to the marketing department at Cherokee Data Systems for an interview that resulted in a job was such a gift! With sincere love and sympathy for your loss. What a man! He lives on in each of you! Liz & Pete Petersen
Sun, 2020-10-18 10:55
Jim's passing saddens me greatly. He was my lifelong friend and "best buddy" ever since the fifth grade back in Hopkins, Minnesota. He was also the best Catholic and Christian man I've ever known who fought a long and arduous battle with cancer, always trusting in the Lord, his faith never wavering. May God grant his family members peace and serenity in the knowledge that he is now residing with the Lord. With Deepest Sympathy, Bill and Judy Frenzel
Mon, 2020-10-19 10:57
We will always remember Jim’s happy eyes and jovial demeanor! He and his family were stellar neighbors and we were very lucky to also call him/them friends. He is at peace now and we send hopes for peace to his dear family as they go through this difficult time. Mark and Karen Haimes
Mon, 2020-10-19 20:29
We're so sorry to learn about Jim’s passing, and send love and care to the entire Kelly family. I still remember his visit back in 1986 when Karen and I were roommates in Edgewater and he inspired my book of poetry called "On a Silver Platter." I'm so grateful to Helen Foster, my third grade teacher, and Karen's fellow teacher at St. Catherine's at the time, for introducing us. As much as I would love to be there and give you all hugs, I will plan to watch the Sacred Heart livestream of the services from home, to keep everyone healthy. With sympathy and love, Theresa and Bob Keatinge
Tue, 2020-10-20 09:37
Dear JoAnn and family, Jim and I were in St. John the Evangelist and Hopkins High School together. I have many fun and crazy memories of these years. Our moms were friends through church and enjoyed occasional lunches and activities together. I am very sad to hear of Jim's passing and send you my prayers and deepest sympathy. He always made me laugh and I much admired his struggle these years with his cancer. He was always a person of faith and humor and good friendship. May the Lord bless and comfort you all in your sadness. Nancy (Groetsch) Ferris.
Tue, 2020-10-20 12:24
Jim was a dear friend and a wonderful colleague. He will be truly missed.
Tue, 2020-10-20 17:37
Jim was a mentor and role model growing up and I learned so much from his example over the years. I will miss him so very much but know that he will be an angel looking over all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with the Kelly Family at this time.
Thu, 2020-10-22 21:04
Jim was a very special person who I had known for a long time. I had worked with him early at NCR and much later at Thomas Group. Sorry to hear of his passing. My prayers are with JoAnn and the rest of his family. Richard Joyce
Sat, 2020-10-24 10:07
Jim and I knew each other for many years, beginning in 1982 when I was hired at the startup Reference Technology. I was just an eager design engineer then, and working with Jim and other at RT was one of the highlights of my life. Many years later, I had the occasion to hire Jim as my General Manager at Apex Systems. I never thought of him as an employee -- more as a co-equal. His many years of experience, coupled with his rational, methodical approach to problem solving, which had impressed me at RT, served us well. Jim was a good man and I always enjoyed his company and sense of humor. I wish JoAnn and his family all the best as they move forward from this painful time.
Wed, 2020-10-28 20:51
I just found out about Jim's passing. To you, JoAnn and family, we are so sorry for your loss! What a great guy!! We had so many good times and a lot of laughs in our time at Reference Tech. I'll always remember the day I interviewed with Jim for a job there. We met at the Boulderado hotel for a drink and to discuss my joining the team. I was a little nervous, but Jim put all that to bed when the first words out of his mouth were "do you know that's my beer you're drinking?" That was the start of a great relationship!! He was always sooo proud of his family and we talked about you guys often. I'm sorry we lost track of each other over the years, but will always have fond memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Mon, 2020-12-28 10:30
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