Richard Stanley Kelly, 81, died in his Brookings home Saturday, October 16, 2004.

He was born September 16, 1923 to Abby (Dahl) Kelly and Harry Kelly in Albert Lea where he lived until graduation from high school. Following graduation from high school at the onsetof World War II, Richard enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. Before the age of nineteen, as a member of the Fourth Marine Division he saw action in Saipan, Tinian, the Marshall Islands and Iwo Jima. He attended college, studying electrical engineering, in Minneapolis and was employed by IBM until retirement. During that time he lived in Japan for seven years and in Denver, Colo. where he and his wife, Irene Wallace Kelly raised four children.

Always community-spirited, in Denver he served as president of &uot;Children In Need of Supervision.” While living in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico he created a school for teaching the basics of electricity to young men, training them in the repair of household appliances. In Brookings he was an active volunteer with the Chetco community Library, responsible for the monthly displays by local artists. He also enjoyed working with the local theatre group as stage manager. In his spare time, he was a successful painter and sculptor.

Richard is survived by his wife of seventeen years, Ann (Wyatt) Kelly of Brookings, Ore.; his children Kevin Kelly of Denver, Colo.; Michael Kelly of Elizabeth, Colo.; Kathy Spratt of Thornton,

Colo.; Patty Newcomb of Castle Rock, Colo.; five grandchildren; sisters Katherine Farry of Albert Lea,; Barbara Marpe of Manhattan Beach, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Irene, sisters Ardus Clifford and Erma Nelson, and brother Harry Kelly Jr.

Arrangements were handled by the Neptune Society.Donations may be made in his memory to Curry County Home Health andHospice, P.O. Box 6042, Brookings, OR 97415 or your favorite charity.