John Kelly

John Edward Kelly was born on March 9th, 1941, and passed away on November 11th, 2023. John was born at his grandfather's home in Alexandria, Minnesota to Edward and Mary (McCabe) Kelly. He grew up in Fargo and attended St. Mary's school before graduating from Shanley High School in 1958.

John was the two-time Most Valuable Player for the Fargo Legion baseball program in the late 1950's. He is one of only three players in Fargo Legion history to be accorded with that honor twice. In 2008, he was inducted into the Fargo American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame and was surrounded by family and friends for this event.

He was an All-State athlete in both football and basketball at Shanley High School in Fargo and attended the University of Minnesota for two years on an athletic scholarship playing football and baseball before transferring to Minnesota State University Moorhead. John earned his degree in 1964, majoring in business and education and served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1963 to 1969.

John married his wife Connie (Stewart) Kelly on August 22, 1964. John and Connie had two children, Lynn and Dave. John spent over 40 years in the insurance industry working as a claims adjuster and claims manager for The Hartford, Great American, and Concord General. Their summers were spent at their cabin on Big Pine Lake near Perham, Minnesota, where John enjoyed running, fishing, and happy hours with everyone on the beach.

In 2004, he retired to Little Pine Lake where he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren as well as golfing, exercising at the Perham Area Community Center (PACC), and beating any challenger in pickleball.

John is survived by his wife Connie, children: Lynn (Chris) DeConcini, Dave (Nancy) Kelly, and his five grandchildren: Alex (Niki), Ryan (Sydney Fritz), Jack DeConcini, and Bailey and Devon Kelly, as well as two greats, Owen and Lily DeConcini. He is also survived by a brother and two sisters: Rick, Betty, and LuAnn. He was preceded in death by his parents and youngest brother, Gene.

Friends and family are invited to gather to share stories of John's life at his favorite local watering hole, Billy's Corner Bar & Grill, in Vergas, Minnesota on Saturday November 18, 2023 from 3:00-5:00 PM.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN 56573 www.schoenebergerfh.com (218) 346-5175