James "Jim" Michael Kelly, 76, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away from natural causes on September 13, 2023 at the home he shared with his wife in Springfield.

Jim was born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 9, 1947 to James Melvin Kelly and Betty Baur Kelly. Jim was an outstanding athlete in high school, lettering in multiple sports; football, basketball, and track. He was presented the Athlete of the Year award his senior year for academic achievement as well as for being a three-sport athlete. Jim attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield for two years, finishing his undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Prior to attending law school, Jim married Susan Croce. From this marriage Jim's first son, Brendan Croce Kelly, was born. Jim received his law degree with honors from St. Louis University in 1973.

After law school, Jim moved to Springfield, Missouri where he worked for a judge in the Court of Appeals. In 1974, Jim ran for Greene County Prosecuting Attorney. He won and took office in 1975 at the age of twenty-seven, making him the youngest prosecuting attorney ever elected in Greene County.

In 1977, he presented evidence as prosecuting attorney to a group of grand jurors, including Rebecca King. Jim and Becky were married two years later and welcomed their son, James Ryan Kelly, in 1981. This October will mark Jim and Becky's 44th wedding anniversary.

In 1978, Jim ran for State Senate, narrowly losing to the incumbent. Thereafter, Jim opened his private law practice which thrived until his retirement in 2017.

Jim will always be remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor, intelligence, and generosity. Children loved him and gravitated to him. He was quite the entertainer! He always seemed to know the answer to any question. He always had a joke on hand to bring a smile to your face and energize the room. He was a beloved husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather who will be missed and thought of every day.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, James Melvin Kelly, and mother, Betty Baur Kelly and is survived by his wife, Rebecca "Becky" Ann Kelly of Springfield, MO, his sons Brendan (Abi) Kelly of Chicago, Illinois, and James Ryan (Anne) Kelly of St. Louis, MO, his grandchildren Wyatt Mount Etna Kelly and Pepper Delilah Kelly of Chicago, and Katherine "Katie" Kelly and James Patrick "Jimmy" Kelly of St. Louis, his siblings, Mark Kelly and Colleen (John) Gates of St. Louis, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

A private funeral and burial will be held with only immediate family.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.