Kern County Obituaries

Bernard James "Jim" Kelly

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; Date Unknown

April 15, 1930 - Sept. 28, 2004
The Rosary will be recited Friday, Oct. 8 at 7 
p.m. and a Memorial Mass will be celebrated 
Saturday, Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. at St. Malachy 
Catholic Church for Bernard James "Jim" Kelly, 
74, who passed away in Bakersfield on Sept. 
28.
Jim was born on April 15, 1930 in Cleveland, 
Ohio. As a young adult, he moved to the Los 
Angeles area. He married his wife of 53 years, 
Margaret Miller, on Dec. 4, 1951 at St. Vincent's 
Catholic Church. He served in the United States 
Navy during the Korean War from 1951-1954. 
Jim was employed as a truck driver for Balian 
Ice Cream for 38 years. He was very well-
known and active in his community, serving as 
city councilman, then as mayor for two terms in 
the city of South El Monte. Jim was very 
involved with the Boy Scouts, serving as Scout 
Master for 15 years. He enjoyed camping and 
traveling in a travel trailer with his family.
Jim and his wife retired to Tehachapi in 1994. 
He was very devoted to the Catholic Church, 
serving the parish as sacristan at daily mass. He 
also served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. 
Malachy Catholic Church. Jim was a member of 
the Knights of Columbus.
Jim is survived by his wife, Margaret Kelly of 
Tehachapi; daughters, Kathie Wood and her 
husband Doug of American Fork, Utah, Sharon 
Kelly of El Monte, Pattie Rosenthal of Glendora, 
and Margie Keily and her husband Joel of 
Corona; son, Jimmy Kelly and his wife Annette 
of Victorville; 11 grandchildren; one great-
grandson; brother, Mike Kelly and his wife 
Rosemary of Florida; and sister, Nancy Pitchel 
and her husband Marlowe of Aguanga.
Father Joel Davadilla will officiate at the service. 
Wood Family Funeral Service handled the 
cremation arrangements.

NOTE: Photo At: http://www.calarchives4u.com/photos/kern/