John Welton Kelly
Dec 25, 1926 - Sep 6, 2009
Posted by Jo Aguirre
Poteau Daily News & Sun (OK) - September 9, 2009
John Welton Kelly, 82, of Hodgen, passed away Sept. 6, 2009, in Heavener.
He was born Dec. 25, 1926, in Hodgen. He was a member and Deacon of the First Baptist Church in Hodgen, a veteran of World War II, member of the American Legion, Heavener Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner.
He was a member of the Gideons International, retired businessman and founder of Kelworth Trucking Company of Poteau and was associated with the family business, Hodgen Butane. He was the former chairman of the LeFlore County Democratic Party and former chairman of the Oklahoma State Mining Commission. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean (Hornbuckle) Kelly; his parents, Theo Sr. and Lena Kelly; a brother, Theo Kelly Jr.He is survived by a son, John Kelly and wife June of Heavener; two daughters, Susan Smith and husband Don of Hodgen and Marilyn Duplissey and husband Mike of Poteau; a brother, Curtis Kelly and wife Dean of Hodgen; a sister-in-law, Wilma Kelly of Poteau; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; numerous other relatives, friends and loved ones.
Funeral services were conducted Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Hodgen. Interment was in Hodgen Cemetery. Dowden Funeral Home, Heavener, was in charge of arrangements.